Why Is There A Shortage?

kellilou3 · Dec 31, 2003

Originally posted by John Bosco
When you count the beans it make one wonder if it is worth it when a Grocery Clerk makes as much as a RN or that a Dential Higenist makes 20-30K more a years to start. sorry Im rambleing.

I am trying to get an idea of what you are expecting to get paid versus the actual pay. What do you think you should get paid per year? I just can't fathom that a grocery store clerk can have the same salary as an RN. When I look on salary.com for my area (Nashville, TN) it says that the median salary for a staff nurse is $43,526 per year. In your opinions, is this good or bad, and how does it compare to other areas? I don't know about you, but that seems like pretty good pay to me! (At least compared to what I'm accustomed to earning, and I'm not an RN yet.)

TraumaNurse · Dec 31, 2003

Part of the problem with RN salary is not in the starting salary, it's that you will be making close to the same amount in 10 years time. No chance for bonuses or extra money unless you work rediculous hours and then most of that goes to taxes. Each year, during nurses week the hospital compensates its nurses for all their hard work during the year with what...a $3 calculator, a pair of scissors, a new pen!(donated by a drug rep!)

There are many RNs who have been dedicated to their profession and hospital only to see new RNs making the same $$ as they. That is wrong! My salary has gone up in recent years only because I have changed jobs a few times and therefor get current rates. If I had stayed in my first job, I would be making about $12 - 15/ hour less than I do now. Also, my most recent employer is paying up to $23,000 for new grad incentives. With almost 10 years experience, I saw no bonus when hired!

A lot of nurses just feel underappreciated. If nurses could be given more respect from MDs, managers and hospital CEOs, and get a little financial incentives every now and then, then nurses would be much happier and may think about sticking around in the profession a little longer. And I mean real respect, not just a fake pat-on-the-head and plastic smile you get from the higher -ups.

I hope I do not sound disgruntled, because I am not. I am just telling it like I see it. I have enjoyed my career and it has provided a lot of benefits (ability to move around, flexible schedule for raising children etc.), but I too will be leaving beside nursing to go to graduate school in the spring. My reasons: more respect, more autonomy, more money, better hours, less holidays, and more.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

:nurse:

There are many people that hold a nursing license that do not work in the field of nursing. I wonder, if they came back to the field, would there be such a shortage? I read somewhere-- I can't remember where-- that there are approximately 75,000 nurses who do not practice in their field.

Bambi · Dec 31, 2003

Originally posted by itsme
I dont believe there is a shortage, maybe a shortage of licensed nurses working in there feild, but not of nurses. I think there are alot of nurses working in other fields, for better hours, better working conditions, benefits...

Stealing your thunder here, but I agree with what you said. There are nurses that are not willing to put up with the abuse and the low nurse to patient ratios. A great deal of nurses are put in very dangerous situations every time they accept their assignments.

Many may wonder why they stay. Maybe because they love nursing, don't know anything else, and or, are hoping it will get better soon, etc.

New Castle Ken · Dec 31, 2003

Originally posted by sagarcia210

There are many people that hold a nursing license that do not work in the field of nursing. I wonder, if they came back to the field, would there be such a shortage? I read somewhere-- I can't remember where-- that there are approximately 75,000 nurses who do not practice in their field.

Good point and different organizations are trying to get those not currently working in hospitals to come back as well as those who are retired. Hopefully they won't get me back :chuckle

Sarah Kat · Dec 31, 2003

I'm reading this book, Final Diagnosis (cheesy title I know). It's written by an MD (the writing style leaves something to be desired, but the story is engaging). The main character is an RN who got burned out and went to work for the AMA News as a medical reporter. So even a fictional nurse can get burned out...

Genista, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

I always like to chime in on this topic, because it is near & dear to my heart. I wanted to be a nurse so badly. My dream came true, and I've been an RN for 5 years now. However, I am sorry to report that I'm already burned to a crisp. I still love my patients, and get great satifaction, but the negatives are outweighing the positives and I am leaving nursing in the future because I know I can't keep killing myself in this emotionally, physically draining field where I never get enough resources yet always get more & more responsibility.

As for pay- not an issue for me. Can you believe my pay has doubled from when I was a new grad? Yes, I am amazed myself. I make great money. But you know, the fact is I can't get my breaks and we are always working short. I'm tired of filling in as unit secretary & not having a nurses aid. I can't do it all -no matter how much cash they throw at me. The stress of being the secretary, the nurse aid, and the nurse is wearing thin. I laugh at how I am expected to be charge nurse with a FULL assignment. How in the blazes am I supposed to be a lead & resource to my staff when I have a FULL LOAD? I can't, of course, and that's just another annoying example of the ridiculous expectations placed on nurses. The pay I get for being a charge nurse is a JOKE!!!! It's not worth it at all. I only do it because I have to- we rotate the responsibility.

I woke up last year & decided I would rather earn $20,000 a year less and not be as crispy.

I am a hard worker, and I go the extra mile, but I feel like management at any place I have EVER worked could care less...and it's all about running patients through the mill like a fast food joint assembly line, "Next!"

I don't have time to do the stuff that's really important- like educating patients and families. Instead, I run from room to room shuffling people on & off commodes, dashing to answer the phone and throwing little cups of pills at people.

I will be one of the nurses who holds her license but works in another field. I'm still young, and I know my talents will be appreciated elsewhere. Healthcare today is really horrible to work in. Nurses are so important, yet we are given the short end of the stick all the time. I, for one, am tired of it. I did advocate for nursing by going to rallies, union involvement & writing letters to legislation, etc. but it seems to be getting worse. They can open up more slots in nursing school, but until they correct the REAL problem of staffing- nurses will continue to leave the profession just like water through a sieve.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

Just curious NewcastleKen,

Are you retired, or did you change fields? And if so, why? You do not have to answer, but I am just curious. I love being a nurse, most of the time. There has been a few times when I thought about doing something different though.

waves · Dec 31, 2003

Always an interesting subject for me as I am in nursing school now...and have at least 5 more years of part time and fulltime schooling to become an RN.

The point that nurses are not working as nurses is brought up. I have a degree in finance management...but when i graduated in the sluggish economy of the late 1980's there were no jobs for a college graduate in my field paying over $21K. And those were hard to come by. I ended up in tourism because I loved living in beautiful places, and having busy times and slow times. My last job in tourism I worked from May 23 to Sept 23 with only 3 full days off and 2 half days off...at a remote lodge where you couldn't get on-line or buy a latte. I loved it! Did I go back the next year? No. Am I bitter? No. It was just time to make a change. I have changed career paths 3 times. I am on my 4th path. With people living into their 90's and one's working life extending into your late 60's or 70's (my dad is still part time at 75, he was a teacher....there's another underpaid, under-appreciated role that requires dedication beyond compensation to be satisfied)...so the point is I will be in the work force for 50-60 years by the time I am done. Welcome to our century and the benefits of living a long, healthy life. You get to work an extra 10-15 years too!

Will nursing be my last choice? I don't know. I did choose nursing because of experiences in emergency medical training. It has been and will be, a long row to hoe to get into the programs. In one article I read about this program it says I'll need straight A's. That's quite a challenge in itself. I am hoping with nursing that if I get burned out in one area or place that I can take another class and make a change. I think one reason people don't make changes easily is because they have structured their lives, more specifically their lifestyle around making a certain amount of money. If you always have money in the bank and aren't spending every dime on stuff...it makes it easier to change. In a way I think of it as a "therapy fund". When things get too crazy...it's time to change. I'm dedicated, hardworking, and easily taken advantage of....but not to the point of insanity!

These are the words of someone who is not yet a nurse. But bad management is not limited to the healthcare field.

New Castle Ken · Dec 31, 2003

Originally posted by sagarcia210
Just curious NewcastleKen,
Are you retired, or did you change fields? And if so, why? You do not have to answer, but I am just curious. I love being a nurse, most of the time. There has been a few times when I thought about doing something different though.

No problem. I have been a nurse for over 25 years so I have paid my dues. I now teach online courses at various colleges. They are not nursing courses but related to healthcare. I also write articles and have written a book about distance education for RNs and healthcare professionals. I miss the patients but not working weekends, different shifts, and holidays. I can't complain but the change is great.:roll :roll

Thanks for asking

Ken

http://www.kbrownson.com

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

Originally posted by kellilou3
I am trying to get an idea of what you are expecting to get paid versus the actual pay. What do you think you should get paid per year? I just can't fathom that a grocery store clerk can have the same salary as an RN. When I look on salary.com for my area (Nashville, TN) it says that the median salary for a staff nurse is $43,526 per year. In your opinions, is this good or bad, and how does it compare to other areas? I don't know about you, but that seems like pretty good pay to me! (At least compared to what I'm accustomed to earning, and I'm not an RN yet.)

I was making $5.00 working in Pizza Hut when I became a nurse. Started making $12.00 and hour and now make $25.00. I've gotten raises through hard work, but also because the shortage has increased salaries. I definately absolutely feel $12.00 wasn't enough. $25.00 is getting there (with the $3.00 diff for nights it's good money). In 2003 my salary rose 15% from the year before.

For other associate degrees it seems to be on par.

In this area grocery store clerks do not make the same as an RN.

As was stated above. It's not always about money.

For me it's resources and ratios that give me the most dissatisfaction.

ScarlettRN · Jan 1, 2004

Instead of pointing out what everyone else has so eloquently said already, I thought I would post Susan's Idea of a Perfect Hospital. I know not everyone will agree with me, but here goes.

In Perfect Hospital, there would be an RN to do the assessments and to put out all the fires that get lit during the shift. There would be an LPN to pass meds and an Aide to do patient care. The patient load could stand to be a bit higher with 3 people looking after them and this group would be a team that always works together when they are there at the same time....or have the same schedule so they always work together. They would have to get along and respect each other, but their patients would get the best care available!

There would always be an available unit secretary. The RN would be able to sign off orders and call the docs as needed. In Perfect Hospital, there would be patient transporters and/or runners available every shift. There would be no floating to strange units, as all units would be closed, but because of the excellent staffing, it would be no problem calling in someone if the census takes a huge jump.

Hmmm, what else am I forgetting for Perfect Hospital? I haven't even STARTED on the ED for this facility! :kiss