Turn the Tide
It's time to accept accountability; as a community, we can solve the shortage

By Carol Bradley, MSN, RN, California Editor
August 13, 2001

I had a wonderful opportunity recently to work with a leading hospital system that had convened nursing leaders from across its community to develop a regional plan to address the shortage of nurses. The group I interacted with included broad representation from both practice and education, from all levels and diverse settings.

Nurses from the local hospitals and schools of nursing agreed that their shortage was worsening, largely because of an aging population of nurses and declining class sizes of local nursing programs. It was exciting to watch this community of diverse nursing leaders develop a plan for nursing within their community.

I was impressed that while there was significant diversity in opinion, there was an overwhelming sense of respect, openness, compromise and collaboration. There was no blaming, attacking or finger-pointing. It was clear that the love and concern for nursing in this community exceeded any individual agenda and the particular politics of any one leader. I felt privileged to be in the room to witness this community of nurses coming together.

This community is not in California. This community is in a state that has more than double the number of nurses per capita than California. It also is important to note that this is a state where nursing is highly unionized. Not once in the conversation did I hear anyone blame another for the shortage or, even more ridiculous, claim there was no shortage at all. In fact, when I mentioned the California nurse per capita rate to this group, the nurses were aghast.

I tell this story because it is a reminder to me of the often unrealized potential that exists within the nursing community in California. We have some of the most talented and innovative nurses in the country; however, in California the political forces that affect nursing seem to serve to splinter and divide as opposed to converge and unite. While some nurses are actively involved in the issues, most tend to go with the flow.

It's time for the tide to turn and for nurses in this state to do some converging and uniting. Let's assume accountability and take hold of our future. In my mind, unifying nursing in California has become a paramount issue. While others may try to convince you that "it" is the fault of hospital executives, physicians, insurers, HMOs or (fill in the blank), be honest-we must claim ownership of every issue that confronts our profession today. It is we, and only we, who own the solutions.

Let's prove it to them all! Nurses in California can be effective agents for constructive change. Let's focus our energy on strengthening interrelationships within the profession, empowering nursing within our health systems and improving the educational commitment to nursing. Most importantly, let's demonstrate that nurses embrace the challenge for quality, competency and compassion more than any conflict or particular brand of politics.

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