I emailed Dr. Phil regarding having a show that specifically addresses the so-called nursing shortage and the issues that create it........among other things.
The reply I received was that I would be contacted if my request to have this show is approved as a topic for his show. The response goes on to say how many requests they receive a day, blah, blah, blah, so basically......don't hold my breath.
Next on my list are the congressmen and those in the White House. I also plan to write "this nurse's story" and seek to get it in print in a magazine that is well read by the public, etc.
One step, two steps, three steps, more....one day at a time.
are you trying to get attention to yourself or the nursing profession? You certainly don't speak for me. >>>>
It is so sad that nurses like you is full of negativism. What is wrong in advocating for nursing profession? This is what is cheerfuldoer is doing... putting nursing in the limelight. cheerfuldoer might not have all the solutions, but we have to start somewhere. I have a feeling that you are not even a nurse.
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
Point 1a..... I think one of the problems in nursing conflict goes way back to when we were in nursing school. Were we all not taught to be flexible? The problem is, each person wants the other to be flexible to his/her ideas. Therefore, conflict arises, because there is a difference of opinion.
Point 1b..... Do we see doctors not getting along with one another? I've never seen it. They back one another up. Therefore, no conflict.
Point 2...... I think a panel of one nurse from every line of nursing should be formed. Then all the issues would be addressed. If that panel would give input with the problems and issues each nurse in his/her field faces, I believe that eventually a forum could be created where all the issues could be combined, then further educate one another in problem solving. After that is completed, then present the issues that affect our entire population's future in healthcare. That way the public would see for themselves, the potential danger they're in. Then after that is done, bring the issue up to the legislators, EMPHASIZING that they too will patients who will need nursing care someday.
I realize that the whole thing is going to take a long time to come to complete fruition, but we can start here, if we are passionate enough about the future of nursing care of our patients. I for one, am willing to get involved, and I'm handicapped.
This threadhas certainly grown very fast and has been viewed by even more here in the past few day. That should tell you cheefulldoer how close to the heart this topic is. You have hit a strong nerve. Good going.
I vote for decent ratios, decent pay, respect on the job (from other nurses, docs, family members and admin), decent benefits, retention bonuses (in the form of paying for continuing education and training for example), some flexibility in scheduling..... Can't think of any others right now, but aren't Magnet hospitals places that have gone a long way in these matters? Why not look at how they have increased nurse retention?
If you're trying to drum up some press attention, perhaps these suggestions might help. I previously worked as a TV producer for many years.
And please don't take this the wrong way. It's just the way TV works but, they always like to show a victim. If people are dying, they're going to be more interested. I know that sounds crass, but that's the reality of TV production: drama and ratings.
I know studies show that nursing shortages increase fatalities in hospitals, but television needs to put a face to the problem. So, if you could provide actual cases of deaths which were caused by staff shortages, along with families or victims they could interview, they're probably going to be more interested. It becomes more of a dramatic story with real people, rather than just statistics.
I don't know how this could be accomplished since that's obviously a deliciate situation, but perhaps there's a malpractice case somewhere with a public record available, or some other source of information.
Keep in mind that TV producers are lazy. Tons of people are always asking them to do stories, so the more you "package" it for them ahead of time, the more likely they'll do it.
Also, the simplier the better. They tend to get lost if the story is too complicated with too much medical terminology. They have to explain to the story to a mass audience.
Consequently, they're probably going to be more interested in the impact of all of this on the public at large, more than the specific working and employment conditions of individual nurses. But hopefully it would expose working condition issues at the same time.
Just some food for thought, from someone who's been in a lot of meetings where they decide what stories they do and don't do.
Cheerfuldoer: speak from the heart ! Have you read Suzanne Gordon's From Silence to Voice ?? She talks about HOW nurses need to tell their story and how to advocate for our profession. Bottom line is we need to educate and talk to the public. They trust us and we need to harnass their support.
Someone said (somewhere on allnurses) "where is the media for us?" We have to go to them --no one will do it for us but us.
CCU NSR: I heard what you were saying and did not take it badly. You were advising for a persasive and accurate statement. I think we should speak up even if one person doesn't have all the answers. Bottom line--nurses deserve a voice and authority to make patient care decisions.
We all know the US Medical system is a mess, so let nurses speak out loudly !
I personally think we need some form of single payer system. but thats just my two cents.
Cheerfuldoer: speak from the heart ! Have you read Suzanne Gordon's From Silence to Voice ?? She talks about HOW nurses need to tell their story and how to advocate for our profession. Bottom line is we need to educate and talk to the public. They trust us and we need to harnass their support.
Someone said (somewhere on allnurses) "where is the media for us?" We have to go to them --no one will do it for us but us.
We all know the US Medical system is a mess, so let nurses speak out loudly !
Thanks mdfog10! No, I haven't read that particular book, but will look for it online. :)
Today, I emailed letters to Oprah and Dateline. I've already sent letters to Dr. Phil and President Bush. A few months back, I sent letters to other politicians in D.C. with a response received acknowledging my letter. :)
Every nurse needs to write a letter to all the VIPs that we know in hopes that our cry to be heard will be taken seriously. Nurses DO matter in a BIG way in healthcare, even if "TPTB" act towards us as if we don't matter as much as we might think.
John and passingthru...........Thanks for being an encouragement to not only myself, but to every nurse reading this thread...no matter where that nurse may be. It is so important for us not to forget the impact we have on others, especially when that "impact" is of a helpful nature instead of those "impacts" that seek to bring harm to others. :)
May God bless our sincere efforts to bring about a positive change in healthcare.......let it begin with every nurse who has direct influence on the patients they care for each and every day.
cannoli
615 Posts
You organize first, power in numbers, then you negotiate for what you want.