Nursing Shortage, Nursing Errors: Nursing shortage

» Joy Butler - Nursing shortage

An article to make you stop and think! As a lab technician I've observed that morale is low in the nursing profession. I believe it is, mainly, because they are overworked and overstressed. Most nurses really care about their patients but do not have the time to give the TLC they would like to, and as they rush through the chores, bone-tired, it just becomes "a job".

There's even conflict between shifts. Overworked day shifts feel that night shifts get a better deal. Sleep-deprived night shifts feel that day shifts get a better deal. So, work is divided up. For example night shifts give some of the baths at 1 and 2 am. This is inconsiderate and sometimes detrimental to the patient. Somehow I think we're missing the whole point that the purpose of hospitals should revolve around the patient. It all boils down to money and a dire need for careful budgeting so that more nurses can be hired. Improved working conditions will make the profession more appealing to potential nurses and and we will all benefit.

-- posted by Joy Butler