The Nursing Shortage: A Crisis in America Healthcare 2 of 8

[apolsusa]

The Nursing shortage is not just felt there in america but here as well in the UK. The national health service denies this fact and putting more people in administration but less nurses. we have to take 7 patients on days worse on nights where you care for 15 nurses with 1 healthcare assistant. I am an english nurse and passed my NCLEX and thinking of moving to the US but it seems pretty scarry as I might face the same dilemma.

[GeorgeJefferson1775]

There is a reason there is a "shortage", nursing sucks. It is a waste of your life. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, humane society, your church etc., to help others. Nursing is slave work, you make others a ton of money, and are treated like dog crap for it. Notice they just talk to executives in this video...

[ej9519]

we are supposed to graduate in May 2010, our nursing program is very difficult. we started with 90 students, now we are only 57. how can we alleviate the nursing shortage if the schools are making it so hard for students to make the passing grade.

[lilsnowdrop]

@ej9519 ......I don't think your school wants to produce mediocre nurses. If those 33 students did not pass the nursing program I'm quite sure they would have a difficult time passing the NCLEX and that's approx $300-$500 down the drain. That being said, there is no guarantee that all 57 students that pass the program would pass the NCLEX.

[magickunderpants]

Myth. I graduated 5 months ago from a highly ranked nursing program from a major university in a major city. Guess what no job. I am almost about to pay my student loans with credit cards.

[CWgirl08]

Unfortunately there are not enough Nursing programs to deal with the shortage. It is really hard to get in Nursing school,because the shortage of programs. There are many people qualified to be in nursing school,but like i said their are not spots for everyone in those programs.

[STONEDGOAT1969]

Enough of hospital policy and procedures that try to dictate the practice of nursing. As nurses we are practitioners of the art and science of NURSING! Not "employees" of the hospital to be brushed aside with the attitude of "be happy you have a job."

[STONEDGOAT1969]

Come on people. Let's stop ignoring the real issues. Nursing can be a rewarding fulfilling career.

That being said, I for one didn't sign up to do it for free. In other words, pay me. Pay me a wage that reflects the tremendous responsibility I have. Pay me for the knowledge and experience that I bring.

Enough of administration's lame excuses for shrinking benefits and ever shrinking pay scales and raises.

Enough of outrageous sign on bonuses for new grads and no retention bonuses.

[RUSH1200]

President Obama Signed A Healthcare Bill Giving "BILLIONS OF DOLLARS" To Hospitals Across The Country..

"GIVE HEALTHCARE WORKERS" Raises.

Do Not Let Administration "KEEP YOUR PAY"!!!! Last 10 Years "NO ECONOMIC RAISES" To Healthcare Workers!!!!

Wonder Why Their Is "A SHORTAGE"!!!!

"PAY US MORE"!!!!!!!!!!

(HAZARD MANAGED CARE NO ONE GIVES A DAMM)........

NO ONE CARES ABOUT THE "Healthcare Worker" Anymore...

One Doc Told Me "KISS MY ASS" We Doctors Make "Shit Pay" Why not "YOU FOLKS"?

[MARKZIMCEO]

I'm shock to watch this video, reasoned for that is I am a current nursing student on earning an associate's degree for now, with the economy in crisis, I thought the healthcare industry would be in danger as well, so I guess they are not in danger?

[gcwyatt]

Watch the rest of the series. There is hope. People are taking steps to do something about this. Nursing is a great choice for a career, and I sure if you do well you will find a job in the industry.

[paulp1021]

Jesus Christ! To say that the American Healthcare System is in disarray would be the understatement of the century. And America's nursing shortage crisis is just one facet of the entire problem. Tuition costs of attending nursing school and medical school is another.

[Dothomir]

The nursing shortage was created in large part by hospitals slashing jobs to meet budgets created by outside consultants. Those outside consultants were brought in by HMOs and insurance companies to increase profit margins. The hospitals also harmed themselves by forcing qualified nurses to work with unsafe patient ratios, paid them less, and then forced them to work mandatory overtime.

[gcwyatt]

Absolutely true, and all of that is covered in the complete documentary, along with a host of other causes. Hospitals and HMOs are too blame, but so are nurse's unions, educational institutions, politicians, and the general public. Watch all 8 parts and you'll bet the whole story.

[piratemermaid]

I agree. it is a mentally and physically demanding job. I will have to say patient ratio should be 1:5(regular floor)not 1:8 or 1:10, that is crazy and dangerous.

[sunlionness2007]

I am a single mom seriously considering going back to school to become an RN. I feel a strong desire to be a nurse, but I am worried about taking organic chemistry. In order to enter in the clinical nursing program i believe you have to have a b in this class.

[kg4jhn]

I am 40 years old and in nursing school. Plan to do ICU/Trauma/ER

[skitso79]

I am a guy, thinking about becoming a CNA. I wasn't really sure what career I wanted to choose, especially the type of background I been through(no felonies). I live in the ghetto and I been through a lot. Done things that I regret. But after seeing this video, It motivates me to help out others and give back. Its not about the money but about knowing that I've just made the other persons life that much easier because I know I will or someone I love will need it one day. Thanks

[gcwyatt]

Good for you! We need more people like you in this world, but don't stop at CNA, go all the way to RN. All the nurses we interviewed agreed that while CNAs and other nurses aids are necessary and valuable to the health care system the RN is where the action is. Once you're an RN you can choose so many different ways to help people, from in the OR, to community nursing, to actually becoming a Nurse Practitioner. By all means become a CNA, but consider continuing your education & become a RN.

[Leta589]

I AGREE

[alegria101]

^^ Exactly! This is a major issue that is essentially being ignored and it needs to be corrected soon!

[MonteWhaley]

How can the Presidential Candidates '08 see this?