Let’s Build the Right Nursing Infrastructure

What’s more important than a refurbished nursing infrastructure? Is nursing really in the infrastructure bill? It’s more vital than some stuff that is surfacing. Maybe it’s a portion of health care reform. In any case, our lives depend on a strengthened nursing infrastructure.

Wherever nursing fits in the new legislation, there is much to overcome. First and persistent is the government-reinforced economic harvest on behalf of the industry owners. From there it plunges into interpretations and ineptitudes of convenience. Lastly, if at all, we get to humane treatment and operational improvements that affect nurses and their patients.

Okay, have another parade; but America needs to do more for its nurses.

Before the pandemic, nursing was already struggling. Nurses have grayed. Social structures never made it a preferred profession. As the pandemic lingers, the nursing field is further decimated; the journals see this. It’s a quiet acknowledgement, not visible to most folks. Can’t slow down to fix it. Too tired to think.

In the field of nursing, among the practitioners still standing, there is quiet awareness that many peers are leaving. They conclude it’s easier, more rewarding, and less stressful to work at Walmart or be a flower arranger.

The pandemic provided jobs for many needy and committed nurses. Though the pandemic has subsided in some regards, organizations are still trying to fill important nursing positions. The pipeline has been tapped and hiring is more a challenge than ever. Even before this one is over, it appears another pandemic could not be withstood.

Anywhere but the hospitals…

Nurses would be uncomfortable if their own loved-ones were admitted to the hospitals. They are not different from people who inexplicably lost family members. A full time attendent might make it safe to go in. In too many cases, the hospital has performed a lonely hospice function, or brought hospice conditions on.

Things required to have a decent nursing infrastructure.

Here I respectfully share my view on some of the low-hanging fruit for nurses. If not new it’s a needed reminder. I am not a health care/nursing professional. This reflects my extraordinary experience as a receiver of nursing services, and observation-based opinion.

1. Have standards and chain of command to deliver consistent productive nursing, without undue political intervention, at every level. Consider nursing a more respected (key) part of the public health infrastructure – chartered, equipped, and staffed to provide services to communities, states, and the nation. Recognize nurses are integral to disease prevention, promotion of health, and responding to both emergency and ongoing challenges to health.
2. Properly pay and develop public nurses as the important first-line workers they are. Do this in a way to retain and stabilize a more robust nursing force. Avoid reliance on transient hazard duty pay increases. Do not overlook the salaried or administrative personnel who do not benefit from temporary hourly increases.
3. Engender a culture of respect for all nurses. Revisit the classification and licensing of nurses to ensure inclusivity, consistency and coverage. Protect nurses from unsustainable and corrosive work conditions like shifts, abuse, or changes that undermine health and safety; and hence, promote the ability to improve (both individually and collectively).

Don’t forget who is saving us. Who put the needle in your arm? Let’s revamp the nursing infrastructure.