NurseWeek News

Taking the Plunge
Survey provides springboard into shortage issues, brings solutions to the surface.

By Carol Bradley, MSN, RN, California Editor
April 8, 2002

The completion of NURSEWEEK's research project [spotlighted in this issue] is truly a dream come true. Born out of frustration from watching cynical anecdotes and biased surveys dominating media coverage of the nursing shortage, we wanted to create a body of credible data that could educate and inform. We also wanted to provide a meaningful basis to guide the actions of health care policy-makers and our health care industry leaders. Perhaps the most important thing I want to say about this research is that it is agenda-free.

I would like to thank Dennis Riordan, president and CEO of NURSEWEEK, for providing the significant financial support needed for this project, as well as for his unfailing ability to always do right by nurses. I also would like to thank Catholic Healthcare West for providing significant financial support for this project.

A great deal of effort has been invested to ensure that this study meets the highest standards of academic rigor. We found the best nurse researchers to help us in the process, and we look forward to sharing this new data with you during the coming months. My personal satisfaction in the data is that my own firmly held belief that most nurses are proud to be nurses and enjoy their profession has been strongly supported. I also am pleased to see that most nurses have a fairly positive view of their employers.

However, some messages in this data should not go unheeded. While nurses understand that a shortage exists, hospitals cannot expect their workforce to absorb the increasing need for patient care. RN resources need to be preserved and protected. Thoughtful strategies need to be developed to ensure that nursing resources are used safely and appropriately. If hospital leaders are doing the right thing, regulatory action should not be necessary and is a waste of precious energy.

Quite simply, we need more nurses, and everyone's energy needs to be directed at building our profession and making enrollment increases a reality.

Nurses also want-once and for all-improvements in their work environment. They need control over their practice, an environment that supports professional development and recognition for what they contribute to health care. The relationship between nurses and hospital leadership needs to be rebuilt around mutual respect and partnership.

Lastly, after decades of almost zero salary growth for bedside nurses, nurses tell us that compensation does matter. While nurses may not be financially motivated in the same way as some others, they do care about their income and expect appropriate compensation and benefits commensurate with their contributions to health care.

During the next months, you will continue to see focused articles in NURSEWEEK and on nurseweek.com regarding specific aspects of this research study. We are eager to hear your feedback on our effort.

Now it is time for action, taken in a coordinated, collaborative and enthusiastic fashion. After all, I am increasingly confident that we all want the same thing: more nurses, happy nurses and, ultimately, satisfied patients.

Discuss this and other topics with your colleagues at www.nurseweek.com/rnvillage.