Health Care Reform in the USA to be Shelved?

It's amazing what an election will do, even a mid term one that sees a change of power in the house. We know that health care in North America (yes, Canada too) needs an overhaul. Far too many people are without basic care, no family doctor and when an emergency happens they are left with a bill they can not pay. So one government bravely steps up to try and do something, against many odds, realizing the little guy, the citizen, needs assistance. Unfortunately government is too often nothing more than "big kids" playing "big kid" games. They cry out "it's my turn. I want to be king of the hill". In the end the little guy is forgotten again. Perhaps it is time for the little guys to speak with a very big voice.

My prediction, and this includes for Canada, if governments don't grow up, ten years from now there will be no nursing homes, fewer hospitals (both because of no staff) and people will be dying at home, in the streets, or within the walls of overcrowded hospitals. Plus, in an effort to get care, the citizens of these countries will be seeing self employed practitioners in their homes. Hopefully most of these will be learned in some way and not prove to be a danger to these folks health and lives.

I have already published my first book about the nursing profession, it's time to publish my predictions for the future of health care in the ugly years to come.

Is the Nursing Profession Wicked?

A good comment from one of my readers; thank you. Let me tell you why I gave my book, "Nursing: A Wicked Profession" such a controversial title.
People love controversy. That is a big part, in my opinion, why local and federal news programs focus more on "bad stories" than good ones. It is why series such as CSI survive so well on prime time television.

The 2 main sections of the book deal with, one, how "wickedly difficult" it is to practice this profession in a time when health care consumers are so educated, and so impatient and demanding. It also doesn't help that many employers prefer to look at patients as "consumers" of goods; the good, or service, of course being health care. The other main section of the book looks at the "wicked power" the nursing profession holds. A power that many nurses themselves have no real knowledge or handle on. Did you know that many nurses are inventors; that many items used in care facilities today are there because of the ingenuity of a nurse? Did you know nurses invented the first "crash cart"?

The beginning of the book does look at one more area of wickedness. I felt this was necessary in order for readers to know I was being totally honest in my stories. Most news coverage about nursing, and nurses, are stories that stem from some professionals who have used their position of trust and care to do harm to others. I don't spend a lot of time on this, nor do I try and make excuses for these actions, but I did feel it was necessary to address.

"Nursing: A Wicked Profession" is meant as a book in defense of one of the most powerful yet misunderstood professions around the world. I may no longer be practicing as a nurse but I whole heartedly will stand up in the defense of the profession, doing whatever I can to push it forward and help nurses stand with heads high and proud.

Wendy Getchell

Nursing Fatigue and Patient Safety

So how does nursing fatigue affect patient safety?

This isn't new news for most of us, but at least this is an official report. I recommend all nurses ensure their local politicians get a copy, and read it. If necessary, you might want to remind them that they may be a patient in hospital some day. At this point in time it's almost a frightening prospect.

Tackling the state nursing shortage - Topix

Tackling the state nursing shortage - Topix

San Gabriel Valley nurses file petition to kick out union - Topix

San Gabriel Valley nurses file petition to kick out union - Topix

First Excerpt fron Nursing: A Wicked Profession

Introduction


The headlines report murder, theft, abuse, drug dealings and forgery. These are the stories most people read about nurses. Other headlines report breakdowns in negotiations between unions and health organizations, with threats of strike action. Still more stories revolve around patients appearing at hospital doors unable to make it inside without help, but being told to call 911. The public are being shown nurses who seem cruel, indifferent, greedy, lazy and power hungry.

Nurses are the largest body of health care professionals in North America and in most other countries as well. They are the backbone of every health care system, gluing all other parts together, providing support and strength in the care of health care consumers. Such news stories however create a very ugly picture of the profession. I’ve read some of the on-line comments to these stories which are mostly harsh, but justified. Media rarely presents all sides of the story however, just those that seem most news worthy. Controversy makes for great headlines

Personally, as a retired Registered Nurse, I am disgusted with such stories and believe there could not be any proper justification, even if I did listen to the other side of the story. I know that the temptations are real but that is no excuse for any nurse to misuse their position of trust. Some of the stories are really only half truths because most nurses will not speak up to clarify.

So are the public’s perception of nurses, the misunderstanding, are own fault? I would have to say yes.

If you would prefer this book in e-Book format, please visit Off The Book Shelf

Excerpts from Nursing A Wicked Profession

Over the next few weeks I will be posting excerpts from my book Nursing: A Wicked profession. I'm excited to share with my readers my passion for advancing the nursing profession through helping others understand the true nature of nursing.

I hope you enjoy it

Wendy

Nurses are dispensible

Nurses in Quebec walk away from the bargaining table because the government has no respect for the work, and hours of work, they put in. The excuse is the nursing shortage, so a nurses health is no where near as important as the patients they care for. There is no better definition of disrespect and uncaring as that. Tell me, would you trust your life to the care of a nurse who has worked a 16 hour day? And if that nurse made a mistake, because of being forced to work overtime, who would you blame? The government or the nurse? I know the answer to that one and it makes me sick!

I'm Just a Nurse

These are four words nurses should never say. Click on the title above to watch a short video I found on YouTube about nursing.

Whenever I hear nurses say this I believe these individuals have no real understanding of what their roe is in the health care system. I just recently released my book, "Nursing: A Wicked Profession" in e-Book format, and in it I give a brief picture of what the health care system would look like without nurses. No truer comparison can be made than that of our profession being the backbone of every health care system around the globe.

We must take better pride in who we are, adopt a stronger view of our importance and learn to articulate that to governments, media and anyone else who will listen.

We must make them listen.

Advancing Nursing Practice Through Nurse Authorship

I had the pleasure of attending the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association AGM and conference last week in Regina. Their theme for the three days was "Advancing Nursing Practice: Where to From Here?" I learned some interesting things that were occurring in nursing education as well as the practices of Nurse Practitioners. Certainly new computerized technologies have found their way in to the classrooms, and bedside, and the nursing curriculum includes teaching students how to use these technologies. I'd love to get my hands on a Blackberry just for pleasure...
I did a poster presentation on "Advancing Nursing Practice Through Nurse Authorship" and was pleased by the positive responses I received. Many expressed interest in writing but figured they did not either have the time or the ability. I suggested keeping a journal; not only can writing help relieve stress and get you thinking clearer, but the entries in to your journal will be the launching point for your book.

There is not going to be a better way to give people a clearer understanding of this profession. It's 2010 and too many, including governments, have no idea what a typical nurses work day is like, much less the kind of knowledge we posses.

The hard part for many nurses will be leaving their familiar comfort zones. Fear has been used far too long as a weapon to keep nurses from speaking out. If we truly believe ourselves to be advocates for health care...WE MUST

Survey Says...Nurses Should Have More Influence on Healthcare

This is huge news that every nurse should really take to heart.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation surveyed opinion leaders (insurance, corporate, health services, government and industry) and in January 2010 released the results of that survey. That although nursing is one of the most trusted professions, these professionals continuously squander away opportunity to take a lead role in influencing health care.

No one takes us seriously. Why? Might I suggest because we do not take ourselves seriously.

We have the knowledge, the education, the experience and the respect yet we can not find the strength, or path, to use it properly.

Please, read the results of this survey for yourself. More importantly, you must act on it..for the sake of our failing health care systems and to protect health care consumers.

That includes YOU and your own families.

SRNA's AGM and Conference in May 2010

The Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association's Annual General Meeting and Conference is to be held in Regina May 5 & 6th. The theme is, "Advancing RN Practice - Where to from here".

I have been accepted to do a poster presentation around the subject, "Advancing Nursing Practice through Nurse Authorship". I am excited to share the research I have done about nurses who have made a difference in government, health professional and health consumer knowledge by taking pen in hand.

This presentation also gives me the opportunity to share what I believe are the next steps in helping the nursing profession move forward as a more dynamic and powerful profession. Even though we have come a long way since Florence Nightingale, and others like her, in proving that nursing is a viable and strong profession in it's own right, I feel we are presently at a stagnant point. It is time to move away from our current "comfort zone" to step up and out to become more visible in the eyes of the world.

Alzheimers cases to increase in next 30 years

The Alzheimers Society of Canada reports that over the net 30 years there will be a tremendous increase in the numbers of people suffering from this disease. They are calling for governments to spend more money on research, treatment and training of health care workers.

I certainly believe their statistics, as we all know the populations of people over 6o are growing tremendously in North America. But I believe money must be put to better use in some other areas.

Training health care workers on understanding Alzheimers and how to care for people living with this illness already happens. The bigger issue is there are not enough health care workers. There are also not enough properly built and equipped facilities. Government cuts in health care are not going to make this easy to fix. As a matter of fact we will be seeing people dying at home, on the streets, wandering away from existing facilities and just plain being ignored and forgotten because our government does not care about the elderly.

A rather harsh statement?

No! Not really. If you look at all the facts, what they say and what they do are totally separate and they are too slow to take REAL action.

As nurses, and other health care professionals, we need to take it upon ourselves to speak up, and loudly, to government and the media on these issues. We should also take the time to help people practice PREVENTION.

No, we can not change genes or other "built in" risk factors but we can inform health care consumers on the many preventative measures that may help keep them safe from developing this very debilitating illness.