Understaffed. Overworked. Precarious situations. Underappreciated. Ready to give up. Start a new career.
After reading and participating in many nurse blogs and forums, there is certainly a fair amount of acrimony toward the nursing profession by its own. After talking with a number of nurses, this sentiment and the stories that are told have been corroborated. Some of these stories are truly alarming; some situations are in need of immediate intervention.
The writer of this blog holds the nursing profession and nurses in the highest regard; even places these individuals on a pedestal! They deserve the highest respect.
The answer, however, lies with the multitude that comprises this esteemed vocation. Our healthcare system is dependent upon you for the change that needs to occur. This seems unfair and unjust. The reality is, it’s not going to come from anywhere else. At stake, as many nurses have pointed out, is the care that is needed, and that is given to, our families, friends and one day ourselves. You are the critical mass. We the people are dependent upon you to change the environments of where you perform your duties in an extraordinary way, and to impose the nurse’s oath, on any entity in opposition.
While the work environment at some facilities maybe better than others, there is no utopia. You have a far better chance of making your current work place the place where you want to work as opposed to finding job gratification elsewhere. Moreover, many are ready to quit the profession altogether. Before leaving for greener grass, why not channel that energy and use it to better your existing situation? Some questions worth asking yourself: How do I make my current employer, the place where I want to work (and do the thing I want to do!)? What can I change about myself that will help change the environment? How can I influence my colleagues to create change? What am I going to do differently to initiate change? When am I going to speak out, rather than remain silent? Change does not happen overnight. It comes about in steps and it must be brought about constructively. Be content with what you are able to accomplish, no matter how small, and find a way to build on it. Your demeanor is also essential for change, as it will determine the degree of effectiveness.
It is crucial that working environments change and the mood and tone improve. This profession needs to answer the call of its impending crisis -- and there is one!
There seems to be doubt as to whether or not there is a nursing shortage. Please see the following link: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/NursingShortage.htm
The crux of the problem going forward is the insufficient number of nurse educators. The industry struggles now to maintain its current number of educators which is unable to meet demand (capacity of nursing students at schools of nursing). With the number of current nurse educators due to retire over the coming years, the problem will only escalate.
The fact is, healthcare is in dire need of nurse educators. This is an opportunity for those of you where change is inevitable to help remediate the situation. Below is a link for the schools of nursing in Pennsylvania as well as a link for financial aid. You may find it to be a possible solution.
With regard to adverse working environments, I strongly encourage some constructive dialog to begin on this column, so that together we can put an end to this impasse.
http://www.allnursingschools.com/find/PA/
http://www.futuresinnursing.org/aid/special_programs_educators.shtml
by Jenn Foster
When the Career Cookies Crumble
1 year ago
