Working RNs and the CNA are to blame for new graduate RN program shortages .

wickeddiazrn · Jun 17, 2012

You know what's missing in this conversation?
Ask the Chief of Staff why is his own salary and financial perks package so high? Or those of non-nursing management personnel.
I will bet you ALL the upper management staff are over-paid for what they do, get their salaries and how much their retirement package is worth.
When you see nurses on strike, does the upper crust ever look at their own incomes? Yes, they do, at the expense of all the nurses. The more they can cut back salaries and benefits of nurses, while raising the cost of health cost of each patients and reducing the outflow of medical supplies, the more of the "profits" flows back into the upper management.
It's just like some CEO or CFO laying off tons of workers (to improve profits is the story), then closing down offices (since we just laid off 100's, we don't need these unprofitable locations) and then turning around and say look everyone, "I just saved us lots of money, therefore, I (CEO) deserve to give myself a 100% raise in my overall pay structure", while I take a private jet with my family to a private resort on a Fuji island for 2 weeks, then back to Hawaii for another 2 weeks to relax and then one more stop in the Bermuda's for another 2 weeks.

Please do not judge all administration by a few bad examples. I would hope someone would not judge nursing based off of a few bad nurses.

Hospitals are kept going by all departments, not just nursing. Nursing just happens to be the largest work force in a hospital.

And for the record when I went into administration I technically took a pay cut. I am salaried and can no longer make any overtime. As a beds side nurse for 20 years I regularly worked overtime. In addition, admin flexes off if the census drops to help with budget. Like I said, not all CEO's CNO's etc. are out to get everyone. Some are very very supportive of bedside nurses.

~Kris

interleukin · Jun 18, 2012

"Nursing just happens to be the largest work force in a hospital."

Really?

How about nursing just happens to be the department that allows the hospital to be, well, a hospital. It provides the actual services, without which, the hospital simply ceases to exist.

And, yes, they happen to be the largest workforce..........but if CEOs could figure out how to allow patients to get sicker without risking all the nasty publicity, they'd change that fact in a heartbeat.

wickeddiazrn · Jun 19, 2012

"Nursing just happens to be the largest work force in a hospital."
Really?
How about nursing just happens to be the department that allows the hospital to be, well, a hospital. It provides the actual services, without which, the hospital simply ceases to exist.
And, yes, they happen to be the largest workforce..........but if CEOs could figure out how to allow patients to get sicker without risking all the nasty publicity, they'd change that fact in a heartbeat.

So you believe the hospital runs only on nursing power? Many other department support nurses and allow us to perform our jobs. Without all parts of the hospital we could not care for our patients. We do not work in a black hole.

Try to run a hospital without a lab, or housekeeping, or IT now days. It just will not happen. That includes CEO's and administration. Yes, some of the CEO's and other admin staff basically suck, but not all of them.

33762FL · Jun 19, 2012

Dear original poster with gigantic sense of entitlement,

A. Once you've worked hard and gained experience in your field, you have earned every right to work as long as you please, for whatever reasons you want.

B. Judging by your posts, maybe the reason you can't find a job isn't "old nurses who won't retire and make room for you" but rather your 7th grade level writing and communication skills.

C. With a big sense of entitlement, nursing may not even be for you. I suggest you try to marry a guy with a trust fund instead.

demylenated, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2012

I am just angry at the greed of those "haves" who are screwing the "have nots" which has resulted in the mess our country is in and my not being able find a job.

I grow weary of this saying... it is getting really old and is just absurd. The "haves" have because they went to school, found a job, have worked it for many years to get to where they are, have EARNED every dime they have worked for, and are ENTITLED to continue earning money from the job THEY possess for whatever they deem necessary. Instead of blaming someone who doesn't want to leave their job yet, look at yourself and figure out what more you can do to make yourself attractive to the job market. Move to where there are jobs available. This sense of entitlement is what is killing our country. Just because you went to school and graduated does not entitle you to a job. That is just the beginning. Jeez. People need to get over themselves. You are entitled only to what you have worked for.

And to address someone's post above this... if a nurse of 80 years old is that dangerous, then it has nothing to do with her... it has to do with anyone and everyone being afraid to stand up to her. If she is making mistakes, is dangerous,k and the patients are complaining, there is adequate reasoning to fire her. People just need to get a backbone.

When it comes to requirement... the SS system does suck, however - again... YOU CAN CONTROL your future by investing. I also disagree with hard labor not working. I come from a family of military and people in construction. Even when they "retire" they get side jobs because they HAVE to stay busy. They don't feel right if the don't. There is also a high death rate in those who retire from the military and enter the civilian world. If they don't continue what they are used to, they usually have a heart attack and die within the first 6-12 months.

My father built houses all his life. He was busier when he "retired" than when he worked for anyone. My husband can retire any time he wants from the military. He continues to hold on, because he doesn't want to get bored. He is looking into what he is going to do in the civilian world. The military has a wonderful retirement package and 100% covered healthcare... It just isn't the point.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2012

I am a new grad. A chief of staff of a major northern California health system told me, "RNs and their high salaries made new graduate programs cost prohibitive." I work in a hospital . And work with a few people who could retire. but they've opted to continue working, buying property, cars, while i work every day, rent a room in a house , wishing i had the same opportunities they were given as a new grad. The high paid bay area RN just isnt sustainable to the future of nursing.

Here comes a closure! This seems like a simple answer to a complex issue. If those people felt they could retire they would. They do not owe anyone anything. I relocated for a job hours and hours away from evverything I knew. Was not handed anything. IF in 40 years I am still here the last thing I want to hear is nonsence like this.

destova · Jun 19, 2012

I just don't understand why the seasoned nurse is automatically open to judgment of her spending habits.

OP, let's play a little make believe for a moment. You get a call from the hospital, they finally convinced one of those terrible old nurses to retire and her old job is yours. (Hooray!) You work through orientation and that first paycheck comes. You decide to finally go to dinner with a friend at that swanky new restaurant now that your bank account is in the black.

A woman about your age walks up to you and starts throwing a hysterical fit. "You're that nurse that took the job at Some Hospital!! And here you sit eating a meal that costs the same as a weeks worth of groceries for my kid!! I have children half starving because you took that job!! How horrible you are to take that job just so you can eat at expensive restaurants!!!! Sob, cry, whine!"

Sound ridiculous? That's pretty much what you're doing with your complaints about the nurse with a home and condo or whatever. They worked to get where they are (as did those nasty terrible CEO's) and deserve to enjoy all the benefits of it, regardless of you needing a job in a market that you obviously didn't research before jumping into.

destova · Jun 19, 2012

One last suggestion, since you seem to be unemployed and therefore have time on your hands, grab a copy of Atlas Shrugged from your local library. It's a monster of a book, but can change your entitlement attitude. I've read it about 5 times over the last 10 years and learn something new each time!

anotherone, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2012

thanks for your input. i actually personally know the nurses i mentioned. one told me, " i could retire but i like having nice stuff (her car payment alone is 600 plus every month) and the other nurse already has one home and just purchased a condo. i have no idea about who you are so please dont take it personal to mean your specific situation (if your not even a bay area rn)

As someone who would consider a $600/month car, designer hand bags, shoes, clothes. so what, should I drive a toyota( no offense), buy at walmart etc just so others can have jobs? should we ration all the work in the country? how well did that work out in some places.

( playing devil's advocate , moslty, i do drive a car similar to a toyota and at the same level and love big box stores lol)

murs · Jun 19, 2012

Dear original poster with gigantic sense of entitlement, A. Once you've worked hard and gained experience in your field, you have earned every right to work as long as you please, for whatever reasons you want. B. Judging by your posts, maybe the reason you can't find a job isn't "old nurses who won't retire an make room for you" but rather your 7th grade level writinnd cog mmunication skills. ? C. With a big sense of entitlement, nursing may not even be for yo . I suggest you try to marry a guy with a trust fund instead.

EXCUSE me?? First off you are just plain rude. Secondly, what makes you assume I am a woman? Thirdly, maybe a component of this is that I do feel entitled. In fact, I had enough self-awareness to apologize about my initial post. Was that a post at a 7th grade level too? Lastly, I work nearly every day of every week, with 9 days in a row up until yesterday. Look. There is a problem for new grads and I won't blaming anyone excep myself from now and I do apologize for offending any older working nurses.

murs · Jun 19, 2012

And I want to thank everyone who have made constructive points,like destova , I may go find that book you suggested .

anotherone, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2012

So you believe the hospital runs only on nursing power? Many other department support nurses and allow us to perform our jobs. Without all parts of the hospital we could not care for our patients. We do not work in a black hole.
Try to run a hospital without a lab, or housekeeping, or IT now days. It just will not happen. That includes CEO's and administration. Yes, some of the CEO's and other admin staff basically suck, but not all of them.

No , I believe what the poster meant is that without needing monitoring/nursing care the pts could go home and have everything done as an outpatient.