will universal healthcare ( in the usa) cut RN pay?

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I been hearing this debate off and on for a long time about how if Obama gets universal healthcare to go ( if he gets elected of course)though in the US that nursing pay will be cut dramatically. I would think this has to do with the fact that we would all be working for the government and that there will no longer be competition. There are many people in my nursing class that said they will leave nursing if thats the case. I also talked to several doctors that said the same thing about medicine in general. Im just curious if anyone has some good info about this. Thanks

Specializes in MICU, SICU, PACU, Travel nursing.
If you are poor you qualify for grants which last time I checked was free money. A lot of hospitals and clinics are run by hospitals that serve the poor. I have volunteered time at one that was staffed by PAs. Every city I have ever worked at as a nurse has had a free clinic for the less fortunate. You should try volunteering once in a while and see what is actually offered in your community.

Have you ever tried to get grants?

I have and have been denied. Its not a simple process.

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I am sorry but I have to point out that it is VERY basic screening and such that is offered......I have friend that utilize such services and they are nothing to write home about. There is no specialty care provided, so if they find anything abnormal they arent really going to provide you care for it anyway.

I don't know about anywhere else, but in my state, a pregnant woman who has financial need qualifies for free health care, and not necessarily in a clinic.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I had just graduated from college, and finding a job in my field was hard(this was my last degree), much less finding one when you are pregnant. I had to go to a clinic in the beginning while my healthcare was being approved to check how far along I was, etc.. After I received the approval, I was able to choose a doctor that was on the insurances list. I found a doctor who I think was the best doctor I have ever had in my life, in an office of wonderful people.

I will admit that the clinic that I did go to, I felt very uncomfortable with the doctors and other patients, not to mention the office staff. I felt I was treated like a bottom feeder who was not worth anything.

If you ask me, I believe that they need to lower the financial requirements a little for programs like Medicaid. At the start of school, I was working part time making under $8.00/hr, and they told me I had to find my own insurance within a years time(but my daughter could stay on). Umm hello...a single mother of one, going to school to better herself(not to mention an asthmatic with a history of pneumonia often), can not afford insurance(and I couldnt get it through work because I wasn't full time).

Just my 2 cents.:twocents:

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theres no difference when it is forced down our throats by a bunch of soacialists in Congress.

:rolleyes:

You should really conduct some research on the differences between universal coverage and socialized medicine. You may be surprised.

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Specializes in Cardiology.
If you are poor you qualify for grants which last time I checked was free money. A lot of hospitals and clinics are run by hospitals that serve the poor. I have volunteered time at one that was staffed by PAs. Every city I have ever worked at as a nurse has had a free clinic for the less fortunate. You should try volunteering once in a while and see what is actually offered in your community.

Um, hello? Do you know me? If you did, you'd know that I do volunteer in my community. That's part of the reason I know that "less fortunate" people are human beings just like me. I made it through my BSN program. I'm aware that I'm part of a privileged minority and am glad that I can afford to work for free sometimes. Not everyone has had a life as blessed as mine.

I'm game to engage you in a prolonged debate, but first I'd appreciate an answer to my original question. Will you please specifically cite some programs that provide a free college education?

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I am sick and tired of people saying "well you shouldn't have gotten pregnant if you cant afford it!"...And my response is...I will never admit I made a mistake, because my daughter is farthest from a mistake! I wouldn't change having my daughter for the world. When I found out I was pregnant, though I was stressed about how I was going to do it...I was overjoyed because I was told I could never have kids..and I beat the odds. And I am working my butt off to make our lives better when I am finished with NS.

But I also want to say, that our medicaid provider...does provide a taxi to and from appointments, regardless of where they are.

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http://www.gacollege411.org/FinAid/ScholarshipsAndGrants/HOPEScholarship/overview.asp

http://www.collegepaystn.com/mon_college/hope_scholar.htm

http://www.federalgrantswire.com/

http://www.grants.gov/

http://www.uncf.org/

http://www.news4jax.com/education/15214588/detail.html

any more questions?

If you do volunteer then you should be aware of free clinics (unless you live in a town of 500 people) that are offered in the area. Ask one of the nurses in the local ER. When I worked in the ER we referred people who couldn't pay to the free clinics all the time.

Um, hello? Do you know me? If you did, you'd know that I do volunteer in my community. That's part of the reason I know that "less fortunate" people are human beings just like me. I made it through my BSN program. I'm aware that I'm part of a privileged minority and am glad that I can afford to work for free sometimes. Not everyone has had a life as blessed as mine.

I'm game to engage you in a prolonged debate, but first I'd appreciate an answer to my original question. Will you please specifically cite some programs that provide a free college education?

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Yes, one time I got a $150 grant when I went to pay my bill. It was automatic and I didn't even apply for it. So yes, apparently it is a simple process. Plenty of people I have went to college with got grants and it was not a hard process at all.

Have you ever tried to get grants?

I have and have been denied. Its not a simple process.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, PACU, Travel nursing.
Yes, one time I got a $150 grant when I went to pay my bill. It was automatic and I didn't even apply for it. So yes, apparently it is a simple process. Plenty of people I have went to college with got grants and it was not a hard process at all.

I am glad you had such an easy time and "many" you know.

But its a little simplistic to say "thats all you have to do"

There are alot of loopholes where you cannot get them.

I was denied because I was under 24 at the time, even though I was out on my own and paying my own bills with no support from my parents.

They made me claim my parents income regardless and said I was not a candidate.

And yeah I did get that 150$$ or whatever small amount one year, but my tuition was very high and it didnt pay for a whole lot, maybe a book or two.

I am more referring to people who can get grants to actually put them through school completely and it is a very complicated process actually.

I think the "grant" you are referring to is something different.

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i believe that health care workers will work for less and have higher taxes which cuts into income a lot

as for solutions there are programs for the 'working poor' where by their children can receive dental care, vacinations, preventive care etc which can be utilized

i would have no problem whereby these programs can be maintained for an indefinite time as long as the need remains

but you don't have to swallow the whole elephant steps can be taken t

perhaps a catastrophic care would help those who would otherwise use their retirement funds

btw- - why the vindictiveness against those who have studied and worked so hard to improve themselves...doctors, nurses and those with advanced schooling finish with high debts and they provide a service to us all..they SHOULD be rewarded

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wow, how were you able to get through college without any grants?

I am glad you had such an easy time and "many" you know.

But its a little simplistic to say "thats all you have to do"

There are alot of loopholes where you cannot get them.

I was denied because I was under 24 at the time, even though I was out on my own and paying my own bills with no support from my parents.

They made me claim my parents income regardless and said I was not a candidate.

And yeah I did get that 150$$ or whatever small amount one year, but my tuition was very high and it didnt pay for a whole lot, maybe a book or two.

I am more referring to people who can get grants to actually put them through school completely and it is a very complicated process actually.

I think the "grant" you are referring to is something different.

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Specializes in Cardiology.
http://www.gacollege411.org/FinAid/ScholarshipsAndGrants/HOPEScholarship/overview.asp

http://www.collegepaystn.com/mon_college/hope_scholar.htm

http://www.federalgrantswire.com/

http://www.grants.gov/

http://www.uncf.org/

http://www.news4jax.com/education/15214588/detail.html

any more questions?

If you do volunteer then you should be aware of free clinics (unless you live in a town of 500 people) that are offered in the area. Ask one of the nurses in the local ER. When I worked in the ER we referred people who couldn't pay to the free clinics all the time.

Well, first, thank you for the links. I'm sure these programs are have made a great difference to residents of a few cities and states who meet certain criteria.

I do have one question: what about those who don't? I mean, there are 47 states not specifically mentioned in your links. And there must be quite a few folks who manage to fall through the cracks. For one thing, the HOPE scholarships require a 3.0 GPA. Just imagine if George W. Bush hadn't had a rich daddy. He would never have made it into college by your programs' standards, now, would he?

And even the programs in existence cannot be all things to everyone. One of your links clearly states, "The details of who will pay and exactly how much it will cost are still being worked out." :chuckle

Is it possible to get a free college education in the USA in 2008? Of course. But can everyone who "deserves" a free college education get one? Dream on.

And yes, I am well aware of free clinics. They do wonderful work and make the most of the few resources they have. But you seem to imply that they are able to be all things to everyone who has nowhere else to turn. You referred people to free clinics and it may have gotten them out of your ER for a while. But if they don't have ongoing access to quality health care, they are going to be back in the ER soon, and they'll be a whole lot sicker.

And to clarify ... I do not think *anyone* is entitled to a free college education. But if you are going to strut around on your high horse acting as if college is available for free to anyone who wants it badly enough, you truly are living in a fantasy world.

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wow, how were you able to get through college without any grants?

I can't answer for her, but I know that I get 1 grant, and it is a small amount compared to my bill...I am doing it all by loans. (and I am one of the poor people). I will be paying those loans off for many years to come.

I was denied grants because my program started in May and all grant money was depleted before that, and would not be replinished until July. The kicker was, that because I had already started the program, I no longer qualified for the grant.

It is not true that anyone can go to school for free.:twocents:

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