It Used to Be a Good Job
We are not just invisible to the media and the public , but as human beings , we are invisible to our bosses . Nursing jobs are rife with sign-on bonuses , paying double time , basically saying — we know we ’ re killing you , but here ’ s some more money . The paychecks from hospice were tantalizing , but at what cost ?
In a telling article from The Intercept , written by Matthew Cunningham Cook in December 2020 , Cook writes , “ In 2006 , Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx had healthier patients , just enough nursing staff to care for them , and a CEO who was making $ 2 million a year .” This is according to a senior nurse union leader Cook interviewed . “ Fifteen years later , the patients are sicker than ever before , staffing levels are inadequate , and , as of 2018 , the new CEO was earning $ 13 million a year .”
While moaning to my nurse friend April , who was on her way home from a 12-hour night shift that had expanded to 16 hours , about our lack of presence , her response validated Cook ’ s claims . “ National Pet Your Cat Day ? Seriously ! OMG , I just finished a 16-hour shift taking care of patients . There weren ’ t any nurses to come in on the day shift . They offered me double time to stay four more hours . I looked at them and said they were nuts ! Nobody can work 20 hours and still be making sound decisions .”
When nothing makes sense , greed is always the answer .
Thank You EVOLUTION
The EVOLUTION Magazine has always valued the many RNs who write for us . Some of those nurses have been successful in branching into Cannabis Nursing , a non-toxic practice , helping people on a DNA level with plant medicine . However , for the most part , cannabis moved on without us . Recreational won the day ; one by one , most have been forced to re-enter the mainstream workforce . And , one by one , we have quit and gone on to any other way to make a living . I applied for a local bartender job .
I am a damn good nurse . Most of us are . We would love to be able to care for you and your families . But not at the cost of our sanity , emotional survival , physical health , or time with our own families . Or worse , the potential to make a deadly error because we have been working without sleep for too many hours .
We did not go to school for four to eight years to become sacrificial lambs . We went to school to learn to save lives and support ourselves and our families .
Nurses certainly know how the hemp plant feels . Able to save lives , willing to save the planet , but for the most part , pretty dang ignored and underappreciated .
Editor ’ s Note : Dolores is absolutely spot-on , and I should have mentioned National Nurses Day . The over 200 observation days in May are obviously impossible to mention in about a 450-word column , but Nurses Day should have been mentioned . The fact that we even have a National Pet Your Cat Day and a Flip Flop Day seemed so crazy it made the mention cut –– in a lighthearted way .
In fact , I believe nurses should be recognized and celebrated for their work monthly , if not daily . My sister , who passed away in 2010 , was a career nurse . Her passing was in part due to the stresses of her nursing career in addition to other life challenges with her mental health culminating with depression . I should “ take it on the chin ,” as Dolores said , for not mentioning Nurses Day . In fact , everyone , including the national media , should “ take it on the chin ” for the lack of coverage and recognition for nurses .
Imagine being hospitalized or even a basic doctor ’ s visit with no nurses present . Certainly , doctors are critical ( lifesaving !) to our health care , but nurses care for us 24 hours a day when we ’ re hospitalized . Again , imagine no nurses , or even fewer of them , when we need them most . Talk about your worst-ever nightmare . Yes , indeed , all first responders should be thanked daily without waiting for a singled-out day or month for recognition . To all first responders , we thank you and thank you again for your dedication to serving the public and saving our lives !
Dolores joined our writing team in 2019 with her first article in the December issue and has contributed monthly for the past four years . Here she displays the January 2020 issue ’ s cover . We lover her , her talent to share good stories , and her educational articles to help our readers . Thank You , Dolores , we appreciate you !
One CEO makes enough money in one year to pay the salaries of 250 nurses . Can you imagine if each hospital was suddenly allowed to hire 250 new nurses per facility ? Or , give the CEO his $ 2 million and hire 200 nurses .
I don ’ t know who took my 28 hospice patients . When I think about them , I get knots in my stomach .
Dolores Montgomery Halbin , RN , BSN , and Ordained Nurse Minister , resides in SW Missouri . After her husband passed in 2015 , she retired from nursing . She worked with the 2014- 2018 Missouri campaigns for legalized medical marijuana . She continues as a cannabis reform activist volunteering with Canna Convict Project and working toward Federal decriminalization through educational speaking and freelance journalism . Dolores Halbin , doloreshalbin @ gmail . com .
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