The shortage is a reality and will be even greater as more older nurses retire, but faster processes seldom guarantee qualified trainees.
Nursing schools seem to be cranking out nurses left and right but what I am finding, at least in ICU and ER areas that way too many new and inexperienced nurses are coming out, thinking they Know-It-All. However, if they only had the major clue, that what they do not know is going to shape their career. "Danger--Danger, Will Robinson".
I am unsure if this is the mentality of the 20-something generation, who also has entitlement issues, or the way they are being trained. But, this is not the profession for those who do NOT take seriously the fact, that every decision you make as a nurse can affect the safety and sometimes even the life of your patient.
The shortage has encouraged schools to train and graduate nurses faster. And perhaps, in this kinder and gentler way of life, maybe the once common "reality shock classes of the profession" are no longer in vogue. Nurses need to always know why they are doing anything they are encouraged or told to do before proceeding. This will help to develop "the gut" that the best nurses have, that ability to know what is happening with their patients before the situation leads to a code and/or death. AND, more often than not prevent such an event.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
When is an ER not an ER?
What is going on today, that so many ER's are competing to be doctor's offices? It is bad enough that so many seem to believe that is what they are to be used for. Even before the ridiculousness of offering appointments to be seen in the ER started, many seemed to think that should be an option. Can anyone say contradiction of terms with appointments for emergencies?
ER's as claimed in the name are for emergencies and EMERGENCIES DO NOT come by appointment.
When you advertise appointments and short wait times and average times to be seen by a medical professional, it is a setup for a disappointed patient when true emergent events occur. What disclaimer is provided when that MI, Stroke, and Overdose all come in at the same time????
And seeing a patient the minute they come through the door but not getting actual treatment for hours is not actually fixing anything but changing numbers. Is the patient actually more pleased with the service?
In addition, study after study shows that patient satisfaction often relates to staff satisfaction. In an effort to crunch numbers and speeding patients through the process affects the care that can be provided as well as the pride nurses have in the care they give, affecting everyone's satisfaction, rarely in a good way.
The ENA has set standards for nurse:patient ratios. Does your ER use these standards?
ER's as claimed in the name are for emergencies and EMERGENCIES DO NOT come by appointment.
When you advertise appointments and short wait times and average times to be seen by a medical professional, it is a setup for a disappointed patient when true emergent events occur. What disclaimer is provided when that MI, Stroke, and Overdose all come in at the same time????
And seeing a patient the minute they come through the door but not getting actual treatment for hours is not actually fixing anything but changing numbers. Is the patient actually more pleased with the service?
In addition, study after study shows that patient satisfaction often relates to staff satisfaction. In an effort to crunch numbers and speeding patients through the process affects the care that can be provided as well as the pride nurses have in the care they give, affecting everyone's satisfaction, rarely in a good way.
The ENA has set standards for nurse:patient ratios. Does your ER use these standards?
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Obama-NOT- Care
What is wrong with today's government and people?
With access and MONEY, anything should be possible. OUR exalted government easily had both (they should have had the greatest minds in the tech kingdom making it so, #1) to prepare the release of ObamaCare in a timely and well-devised fashion. We all know that did not happen. We all know the cost is prohibitive and ridiculous into making people take health care. Trying to encourage the vast majority of those with minimal health needs who are generally just getting by to buy healthcare that costs them $50/month is ludicrous. These folks who could never afford the $5000 deductible or even less and will never give up their $50/month, which they frequently use for their ramen meals or in other less responsible situations, their nails, cigarettes or cell phones . In trying to promote health responsibility in the young, we are only encouraging them to do the exact opposite. Those that use the ER now as their doctors office, will only continue to do so, and will only have to pay that $95/year penalty. What is the downside to not buying Obamacare? Nothing, as these are often the same folks that come into the ER with NO intention of paying for their pregnancy tests, colds, and well baby checks, etc., etc. They really believe healthcare should be free, while other responsible people pay for their healthcare and my taxes pay for those mentioned above to get Medicaid to pay for their ambulance rides for their bug bites.
WHY has no one directed the insurance companies to make their prices more reasonable to everyone (I personally pay around $340/month for basic coverage for myself and kids and decline basic services as the deductible is too high and the coverage I used to have is cost prohibitive)?
WHY do insurance companies not provide some pro-bono coverage or offer part of their ridiculous earnings and profits to help with healthcare for the poor?
WHY are so many new Foreign arrivals to our country able to get Medicaid when the small business persons and individuals who actually contribute to society and are trying to just make a living cannot?
WHY should my taxes make Medicaid available to so many and only more since Obama NOT-Care?
With access and MONEY, anything should be possible. OUR exalted government easily had both (they should have had the greatest minds in the tech kingdom making it so, #1) to prepare the release of ObamaCare in a timely and well-devised fashion. We all know that did not happen. We all know the cost is prohibitive and ridiculous into making people take health care. Trying to encourage the vast majority of those with minimal health needs who are generally just getting by to buy healthcare that costs them $50/month is ludicrous. These folks who could never afford the $5000 deductible or even less and will never give up their $50/month, which they frequently use for their ramen meals or in other less responsible situations, their nails, cigarettes or cell phones . In trying to promote health responsibility in the young, we are only encouraging them to do the exact opposite. Those that use the ER now as their doctors office, will only continue to do so, and will only have to pay that $95/year penalty. What is the downside to not buying Obamacare? Nothing, as these are often the same folks that come into the ER with NO intention of paying for their pregnancy tests, colds, and well baby checks, etc., etc. They really believe healthcare should be free, while other responsible people pay for their healthcare and my taxes pay for those mentioned above to get Medicaid to pay for their ambulance rides for their bug bites.
WHY has no one directed the insurance companies to make their prices more reasonable to everyone (I personally pay around $340/month for basic coverage for myself and kids and decline basic services as the deductible is too high and the coverage I used to have is cost prohibitive)?
WHY do insurance companies not provide some pro-bono coverage or offer part of their ridiculous earnings and profits to help with healthcare for the poor?
WHY are so many new Foreign arrivals to our country able to get Medicaid when the small business persons and individuals who actually contribute to society and are trying to just make a living cannot?
WHY should my taxes make Medicaid available to so many and only more since Obama NOT-Care?
Monday, January 20, 2014
Hello...What I want for Nursing... This is the time for nurses to coordinate and make the changes that are needed to protect our profession. The present and future nursing shortage can make our lives a lot harder than it needs to be. We can make the difference in how the future unrolls and how our workplace issues worsen or improve. It does not have to be a union. It does not have to be anarchy. It just has to be enough nurses with enough voices to make the difference. I want so much more for nurses. I am not looking for Disney World (The happiest place on earth), but I am looking for places that nurses can go into work glad to be there and not wondering (or expecting) if they are going to need KY for the shift. I want insurance benefits that are better for nurses, cheaper and easier access to health care. it should be a perk. I want retirement similar to police workers and firefighters or the government controlled retirement for railroad workers. I want staffing ratios that take safe practice for patient acuities in to consideration and I want those decisions followed and respected. I WANT SO MUCH MORE AND I WANT OTHER NURSES VOICES TO JOIN ME WHO FEEL THE SAME!!!!! I have about one thousand other ideas and I want them in effect.
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