Concern About the Nursing Profession

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Dear Editor:

I am writing to you out of concern for my profession, which I have championed and have been proud to be part of since 1987. During that time I have seen many changes and trends. Surely our patients are getting sicker and our resources thinner. I have seen the push to get rid of licensed practical nurses and the striving toward BSN job requirements; this is the trend I am most concerned with because it touches close to my heart. I have wanted to be a nurse ever since I was a little girl. I went to nursing school right out of high school and graduated with an associate degree in 1987. I have worked as a bedside nurse ever since and have never wanted to do anything else. What I am is a nurse.

Most, if not all, professions are undergoing a push for higher educational standards as a byproduct of the conceptual age we live in. I believe nursing is in the unique situation of needing the experiential skill set of seasoned clinicians to provide patient care at the bedside. Many of these providers have only an entry-level degree, and to pull them from the workforce for further education would have a significant negative impact on our patients and on newer nurses who depend on them for training. We have a clear and documented shortage of these providers and an even greater shortage of nursing educators to train new providers. I believe our profession may be well served by “looking outside the box” to find solutions to the dichotomy of the nursing shortage versus the push for advanced education of the nursing workforce. This issue becomes even more pertinent during economically hard times.

Nursing has been quick to fill vacancies with new graduates who increasingly are seeking to get experience and then move on to continue their education in some form of advanced degree. We seem to put a lot of effort into making these nurses competent only to see them leave, after which we repeat the cycle. If we can find ways to inspire them and maintain that “newbie enthusiasm,” perhaps we can build them into seasoned bedside caregivers and the next generation of preceptors. We are challenged to help them see bedside nursing as a profession and not as a stepping stone. I think we can do this by finding departmental projects to engage them in.

We have seen less of a problem retaining seasoned staff; however, they are becoming frustrated by the attention given to recruitment efforts. Many long-time bedside caregivers do not possess advanced degrees and do not wish to pursue them. These staff typically have shown the most engagement and possess career experiences that we know no degree can truly replace. These nurses ensure the safety of our new graduate’s practices, and we need to create an environment that bonds the 2 groups together. In the reality of today’s nursing shortage, both groups are equally indispensable. We need to champion our already engaged core staff for what they do have and keep the degree status in perspective. Creating a dynamic to link them with new employees’ desire to fit in will build a culture of support and togetherness, which in turn will foster retention at all levels.

ENA has recognized their members’ desire to become more involved but have limited opportunities at the national level. State and local participation is encouraged to gain experience. There is so much to do that everyone can find a niche. ENA does not have specific degree requirements for involvement, and I propose they take the lead by ensuring that national positions are available specifically for current practicing bedside caregivers. Together we can find ways to stay fulfilled and take care of what matters—our patients. The consequence of failure is a continued shortage of qualified bedside caregivers. Every one of us will one day be in a position to need a nurse. I can only hope that one is available for me with the appropriate skill set and demeanor when I need it. I assure you I will not care what degree my nurse has, and I believe the same is true of our patients.