I tend to keep my finger on the pulse of new(er) trends.
This subject is something I've alluded to before, yet now I am even more convinced it may become reality.
My state--a west coast state--recently (last year) redefined the scope of practice for MA's to include much of what RN's are responsible for, based on a new tiered level of education and certifications. Colleges have jumped on the bandwagon to develop intense MA programs to fill the need.
At one time, MA's were relegated mostly to Dr.'s offices (which used to be the domain of RN's). That may not be the case much longer, if the trending continues.
I was just speaking with a fellow student from a math class, who is pursuing her MA. One of our college's nursing program professors is apparently steering potential nursing candidates (friends of hers) away from the nursing program on the QT. She stated, "Now that the scope of practice for MA's has been legally expanded, the hospital is looking to integrate MA's to fill the floors, instead of the more costly RN's."
Just sayin'. Research on your own, and draw your own conclusions.
There are a lot of issues r/t to nursing that are certainly scary (staff to patient ratios is a big one that comes to mind) yet nurses seem powerless to do anything about them.
I am debating going for my BSN. I have all the prereqs done. I just don't want it to be a huge waste of time and $$. It will not do anything for me in my current job.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
The world of nursing certainly has turned into a toxic brew with this thread an encapsulation of all of it. My contention is that it can be traced to the nursing powers that be clinging to a strategy that splinters the nursing world by attacking and devaluing.components of it as we see above. This has also resulted in turning a blind eye to destructive trends that we are all but powerless to reverse at this time.
I talked to a Student Extern in the ED today; she said in one of her clinicals the hospital floor used a "delegation style" when dealing with techs.
I asked her what that was. I was totally clueless...
She explained to me that two RNs would take on 11-15 patients and have multiple techs beneath them. One RN would be responsible for all the assessments and the other RN would be responsible for all meds and then together they would work together on procedures and dressing changes.
..... It seems we have come full circle. Welcome to 20 years ago.
As long as hospitals are run as a corporation to show huge profits to their shareholders, the bottom line will be to cut costs anyway possible .Nurse has a license ? So what. If he/she loses it, what do they care. There's another nurse waiting in the wings, and willing to take the job at a much lower hourly rate, as they haven't been able to find ANY job in this economy. Businesses know this, and can take advantage of it.
As long as hospitals are run as a corporation to show huge profits to their shareholders, the bottom line will be to cut costs anyway possible .Nurse has a license ? So what. If he/she loses it, what do they care. There's another nurse waiting in the wings, and willing to take the job at a much lower hourly rate, as they haven't been able to find ANY job in this economy. Businesses know this, and can take advantage of it.
Yup. Supply and demand. I was just offered a postiion at 18% LESS than my last position (same area, same specialty/position/duties).
Look at the debates.. Diploma and ASNs still vouch that they can perform just as well as a BSN. Its all about experience. Grant the MA the same experience, and they, too, can perform equally as well in the field of desired work (as is my theory).
Vouching and being supported by research are two very different things. and while i don't wish to start a debate ....the research does say there is a difference.
And this is what baffles me about all the people here who go on and on about how we need to increase the entry to practice and BSN only and all that.
Once, just once, I'd like to see the whole "increasing use of UAP for tasks formerly performed by nurses" issue addressed by the BSN only crowd. If LPNs and ADNs are phased out, employers won't replace them with BSN RNs out of the goodness of their hearts. More and more new tech positions will be created to save $$$.
Abandoning the different levels of nursing will lead to the expansion of medical assistants, or something similar, into hospitals. Nursing needs multiple tiers of nurses.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
And this is what baffles me about all the people here who go on and on about how we need to increase the entry to practice and BSN only and all that.
Once, just once, I'd like to see the whole "increasing use of UAP for tasks formerly performed by nurses" issue addressed by the BSN only crowd. If LPNs and ADNs are phased out, employers won't replace them with BSN RNs out of the goodness of their hearts. More and more new tech positions will be created to save $$$.
Abandoning the different levels of nursing will lead to the expansion of medical assistants, or something similar, into hospitals. Nursing needs multiple tiers of nurses.
I don't see LPns being phased out, only a single entry degree for RNs. Most facilities do not pay different for BSN over ADN, so there aren't really any money savings there.
I don't see LPns being phased out, only a single entry degree for RNs. Most facilities do not pay different for BSN over ADN, so there aren't really any money savings there.
I agree with this. In my area, BSNs make about .75 more per hour than ADNs. The real difference now is that if you do not have your BSN as a new grad, you will not find employment. That was my main reason for choosing to be BSN trained. I'm gad I did.
I started a new job then quit two months later. Why? The LPN's and younger RN's were ANIMALS in report. They don't know much and formed a mean girl's gang. I never felt so attacked. Of course, management is feeding it. One LPN took a pulse on a pacemaker patient and hit the panic button because the pulse was in the 40's. I took a radial pulse and could feel that extra beat and I read 72. She was furious with me and stated "well, I told the charge nurse." The doctor ordered an EKG and the pulse was in the 70's. I'll be darn if I am going to beaten up by a bunch of brats who don't know anything. The hospital hates, hates, hates RN's. They have a huge pool of RN's because of the glut and are having a field day.
Corporate healthcare is treating RN's like splat balls and patients like dumb cattle. They don't care if you never work again. They blackball the "trouble makers." Poor people on Medicaid/Medicare are afraid to complain. Young women, do yourselfs a favor. Wait on tables until this mess is straightened out. I hope the trial lawyers have a field day when all the malpractice suits come rolling in.
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,116 Posts
As a clarification, I abhor the idea of "medication aides," and I don't care what states OK the concept. It scares the bejaysus outta me.