As more “retired” and non-active nurses return to the workforce due to this faltering economy, the nursing shortage takes on a different face. However, it remains a huge problem and will continue to grow. It’s something that we cannot lose sight of despite the changes. With a relatively slow flu season and far fewer elective procedures being performed, hospital censuses have fallen. Consequently, the need for hospital nurses has diminished somewhat. This is a temporary situation, but it may last for awhile. Travel nurses are feeling the brunt especially those who just want med/surg assignments in say, sunny (??) California. (It’s overcast and gloomy right now, not at all sunny.)…
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Obama Promotes Nurse to Lead
The American Nurses Association endorsed President Obama when he was running for President because of his insight into the health care crisis, the nursing shortage and the fact that the nursing profession needs some strong role models and leadership. He also has a strong understanding that nurses are the backbone of health care in the U.S. and that in order to improve the health and well being of Americans, that nurses need to have an active role in overseeing the health care industry. Today, President Obama took action to promote a nurse to a leadership position in the health care industry. He appointed Dr. Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, FAAN, to…
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More About How to Become a Nurse
The shortage of nurses will not diminish due to the current recession. In fact, career opportunities for nurses will continue to rise. For many who have been laid off or face layoffs in the near future, the prospect of becoming nurses is offering hope in an otherwise dismal economic future. This offers a shred of hope to the nursing workforce which is being challenged by growing shortages. Obstacles remain unchanged however. Nursing programs in most areas of the country are still impacted and long waiting lists will become longer. This does not have to be a barrier to hope for those looking for future stable employment opportunities nor to the…
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Eldercare – An Area of Need
A guest post by Kelly Kilpatrick As the economy tightens up, jobs in the nursing profession are becoming more and more sought after. One nursing specialty that continues to grow as the years pass, however, is geriatric nursing. Also referred to as eldercare, geriatric nursing refers to the care of elderly people who need assistance in a variety of ways. A Growing FieldThe United States’ population grew exponentially from the 1940’s to the 1960’s; this generation, known as the Baby Boomer generation, is now starting to age and many people that fall into this age group are in need of care. Naturally, as the years progress, more and more people…
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Obama Invites Your Ideas
President-elect Obama has asked the nation to contribute ideas about the change we need to see come to fruition. You can add your ideas to the website. If you need some ideas here are a few: Teri Mills MS, ANP,CNE, RN would love for as many nurses as possible to visit The National Nurse site to learn more about this proposed program and then to send a personal vision note to the Obama site. This could certainly help nursing move forward. If your facility has a particularly bad or good set of working conditions for nurses and the nursing profession, please be sure to send along your ideas and help…