What is the ONE thing that will attract new/experienced nurses back to staff nursing?

plumrn, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2002

The sheer stress and total exhaustion that comes from too heavy a pt load drives more nurses away, in my opinion; and the satisfaction & pride of a job well done, along with a much decreased level of stress, w/ lower nurse to pt ratios, keeps nurses at the bedside and fulfilled.

Money is important, but I think the above is the greatest predictor from what I have observed.

Stargazer · Nov 15, 2002

The 2 main things that drove me from the bedside were unsafe nurse-pt ratios and inflexible scheduling.

baseline · Nov 15, 2002

Yep...me too Stargazer....that and just at it too long....for me...enough was enough. Im getting too old to work like that!

ptnurse · Nov 15, 2002

Adequate staffing/retention.

WashYaHands · Nov 15, 2002

I think that unsafe nurse to patient ratios is a reason people leave the bedside and don't return. For me, personally, job satisfaction is important. Money is important too, but if I'm not satisfied with the work environment and feel I've contributed in a meaningful way, no amount of money will keep me there.

Linda

live4today, RN · Nov 15, 2002

Originally posted by lee1
Hi all,
What is the ONE thing in your opinion that will attract more nurses back to the bedside as staff nurses???? More pay? Better ratios??? Better working conditions????

Lee

Hi Lee :)

As an experienced nurse who has been out of nursing for five years now, I have decided to return to the profession. Personally, my incentive is a necessity for a salary, and since I loved nursing and it pays far more than most other jobs I could currently do, I'll gladly re-enter the field out of respect for the field of nursing and the deep desire I have to care for those who need my nursing expertise. :)

Yes, I agree, from what I've been reading, better working conditions are definitely in order, and must be dealt with in order to improve things all around for both patients and staff. Anything short of this goal is deadly to the profession and the patients who trust in it.

Better patient ratios should be a priority as well...that's just plain old common sense the way I view it. Doesn't take a college degree to know that too many sick patients assigned to one nurse is NOT a safe environment for the patient or the nurse.

As far as salary goes...yes, salaries should definitely be increased GREATLY! I am also for nurses salaries being a part of every patient's budget. Instead of nurses being paid by the hospital, the patients should pay us just like they do the doctors. Perhaps then we will be looked upon as a separate profession deserving of being added to every patient's bill for services rendered.

Be back later.........phone call incoming. :nurse:

LasVegasRN · Nov 15, 2002

Originally posted by Stargazer
The 2 main things that drove me from the bedside were unsafe nurse-pt ratios and inflexible scheduling.

Same here. What would make this old ICU nurse go back? Nope, can't narrow it down to just one thing. HAS to be flexible scheduling (sorry, but I've gotten spoiled to no weekends, no holidays, 8 hour work shift and NO CALL), and MORE $$$$.

shrpgrl · Nov 15, 2002

Ratios are number one with me too. Also floating to units that are so different skill wise. Very stressful to send a rehab nurse to ICU or Oncology. Would rather be mandated home than float. Never happens that way though.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Nov 15, 2002

Get rid of ALL the unnecessary paperwork, forms, flow sheets, etc. I HATED that. (Let me repeat for clarification's sake, I HATED ALL THAT PAPERWORK!!!!) I didn't enter the field of nursing to be a paper chaser. I entered nursing to take care of PEOPLE. SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY.

Take back the control of hospitals AND our beloved nursing profession from these heartless business people who don't have a clue and only worry about the "BOTTOM LINE." Healthcare as we know it has been RUINED by this hostile TAKE OVER by the "MBA crowd." The health of millions of Americans is at risk, whether they know it or not (just read the lengthy thread in the geriatric nursing column about nursing homes, for a real eye-opener).

RESPECT. I simply will not work in an environment anymore in which my opinion is not valued and I do not have a voice. I WANT DIRECT CONTROL OVER MY PROFESSION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT. Stop the silly little management games, psychological 'human resource' ploys and LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY!!! I am not a three-year old child and these anal tactics INSULT and ANNOY ME!!!! I CANNOT STAND BEING PATRONIZED whether by doctors or by management people. TREAT ME AS AN INTELLIGENT, VALUED MEMBER OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM.

STOP ABUSE. This especially means the notorious "horizontal violence" which is prevalent in nursing today. Management should not be WINKING AT or even ENCOURAGING nurse eating, but should be actively STOMPING THE CATTY BEHAVIOR OUT!!!! Nurses should be taught to respect and value one another BEGINNING IN NURSING SCHOOL. I believe this is where this culture of horizontal violence begins (and I, as a nursing instructor, plan to do my personal part in putting an end to it!!!!)

I could go on and on, but this covers the basics, IMHO.

zudy · Nov 15, 2002

VickyRN, I couldn't put it any better than you did, well done.

agnewRN · Nov 16, 2002

Better staffing ratios would be top for me. The fact that you are literally handling pts lives and things can easily take a turn for the worse if you are rushing around. Think of all the mishaps that could be prevented if you only had more time with your pts. and outcomes better.

sjoe · Nov 16, 2002

Only one thing is needed: competent, supportive, capable management (who will supply all that other stuff as a simple matter of course).