Editor's
Note
Grace under fire
Times
of crisis put nurses, hospitals to the test
Carol Bradley, MSN,
RN, California Editor
September
25, 2000
In a
crisis, you will see the true character of people and organizations
through the choices they make and how they deal with challenges.
We already have seen evidence of how some health care organizations
have dealt with the challenges of the ’90s and the devastating
effects of some of these decisions.
Some
have used these tough financial times as a catalyst to fundamentally
change and restructure for the better, while others have
been unable to act or have made poor choices and organizations
(and people) have failed. Today, the health care system
is feeling the consequences of those past decisions as nurses
– from VPs to staff nurses – are choosing to leave
the hospital patient care environment in search of something
better. In 1996, less than 60 percent of our nation’s nurses
worked in hospitals, and that number is probably even lower
today.
As the
nursing shortage reaches crisis proportions, nurses, hospitals
and others will have the opportunity to make some truth-telling
choices. The hard work ahead for all of us is about restoring
and reinforcing a strong, confident and positive workforce
of registered nurses adequate to meet the increasing need
within our communities. Nursing needs to be viewed as a
positive and viable career choice for young boys and girls.
A key
place to start is to restore the professional work environment
for nurses within American hospitals. Accomplishing this
will require changes for hospital leadership, as well as
changes for nurses.
Hospitals
need to restore the essential infrastructure that is necessary
for the effective delivery of nursing care to ensure competent,
well-educated nursing staff and to compensate nurses commensurate
with their contributions within the delivery system.
Hospitals
also need to create an organizational culture that is compelling
and offers nurses the professional respect and recognition
they deserve, as well as restoring nursing’s voice of influence
in patient care delivery. Hospitals also need to invest
in long-term strategies for addressing their nursing workforce
needs and help the profession change the negative images
of nursing that are prevalent in our society.
Nurses
need to rebuild their loyalty and commitment to their employer
of choice, and invest in a professional partnership with
the administration that is one of mutual respect and trust.
Nurses need to ensure that patients can have confidence
in the care they receive. Nurses and hospital administration
need to find effective vehicles for conflict resolution
that do not affect the access or delivery of care to patients.
Nurses need to work to project an image of nursing that
reflects the true intelligence, creativity, status and power
that is embedded in this worthwhile profession.
Today,
the public recognizes nursing through the image of the hospital
nurse. We cannot build the nursing workforce of tomorrow
in today’s environment of distrust and conflict. Given what
I hear from many of you, we all have our work cut out for
us. Remember, however, that in times of crisis, true character
emerges.
