Nursing Shortages

[seekeroftruth]

I am just wondering....

Do you agree?

Nursing Assistants who worked in hospitals, on the floor, during the whole COVID pandemic should be "awarded" their nursing credentials... they "earned" it.

Do you agree?

 

[Ken King]

I am just wondering....

Do you agree?

Nursing Assistants who worked in hospitals, on the floor, during the whole COVID pandemic should be "awarded" their nursing credentials... they "earned" it.

Do you agree?

Depends on what you mean by "their nursing credentials". Are you suggesting that they should be equals with a LPN or RN without the required formal training?

 

[Monello]

As long as they don't lower any standards. Perhaps fast track some training that they need to get to the next level.

 

[GregV814]

wasn't there an article back in the fall that some nursing colleges were MANDATED to curtail training and fast track students? Virtually lowering standards?

 

[Clem72]

As long as they don't lower any standards. Perhaps fast track some training that they need to get to the next level.

It's hard to lower standards below the requirement for an LPN/LVP nurse (literally 1 year vocational training certificate), or 2 year associates degree from a community college for RN.

Do you want to do it like a tech cert, 1 week of "boot camp" classes and a 1 hour test, then trust them with peoples lives?

 

[Clem72]

As long as they don't lower any standards. Perhaps fast track some training that they need to get to the next level.

If I remember correctly, there was an article a few years back that said the biggest issue preventing students from completing an associates in nursing (required for an RN) was being able to complete Algebra 1. Let that sink in for a minute, most children complete that in middle school or high school.

Again, not even needed for LPN. But if you decide you want a whole lot more RNs, just get rid of the requirement for them to understand grade school math. Like cashiers don't need to know how to count back change anymore.

 

[SamSpade]

Are you trying to say someone with OTJ experience doing nursing assistant duties and three months of school - should be upgraded to someone who had four years of training and had to pass a license exam?

No.

 

[TPD]

I don't know what it's like in other parts of the country, but in this part of the states, the medical situation sucks! Something needs to be done, and quickly. But I'm not sure the answer is to automatically turn assistants into full blown nurses just because they agreed to wear a face diaper and get a clot shot that did nothing besides appease their employer and government.

 

[phreddyp]

If I remember correctly, there was an article a few years back that said the biggest issue preventing students from completing an associates in nursing (required for an RN) was being able to complete Algebra 1. Let that sink in for a minute, most children complete that in middle school or high school.

Again, not even needed for LPN. But if you decide you want a whole lot more RNs, just get rid of the requirement for them to understand grade school math. Like cashiers don't need to know how to count back change anymore.

If you do that most government employees and teachers could change careers to nursing and the shortage would go away by itself!

 

[Clem72]

Are you trying to say someone with OTJ experience doing nursing assistant duties and three months of school - should be upgraded to someone who had four years of training and had to pass a license exam?

No.

Who had 4 years of training? You don't need a BSN to be an RN and it's a very small percentage that actually do.

 

[Clem72]

If you do that most government employees and teachers could change careers to nursing and the shortage would go away by itself!

While a few places make well above average, most nurses do not get paid very well for the number of hours worked. If the job paid 100k and had reasonable hours (8-9 hour shifts vs 12) there would be no shortage even if they upped the requirements to a BSN (4-year degree).

 

[vraiblonde]

Nursing Assistants who worked in hospitals, on the floor, during the whole COVID pandemic should be "awarded" their nursing credentials... they "earned" it.

Do you agree?

If they can pass the test to get licensed, why not. But that should be all NAs, not just the ones who stuck it out during covid. I'm a big fan of OJT and many people learn better than way than lectures and tests.

But if you're asking if NAs should get their LPN just because they worked during covid, the answer is no.

 

[Bare-ya-cuda]

I am just wondering....

Do you agree?

Nursing Assistants who worked in hospitals, on the floor, during the whole COVID pandemic should be "awarded" their nursing credentials... they "earned" it.

Do you agree?

No

 

[SamSpade]

Who had 4 years of training? You don't need a BSN to be an RN and it's a very small percentage that actually do.

My mistake - my Mom and all her nursing associates did - but evidently you just need to pass a nursing program and the exam.
I didn’t know that.

I do know most employers minimally WANT their RNs to have their BSNs, especially hospitals.

 

[seekeroftruth]

Depends on what you mean by "their nursing credentials". Are you suggesting that they should be equals with a LPN or RN without the required formal training?

I'm talking LPN... someone who can help. Let's face it, if someone has been on the floor since 2019, don't you think their OJT would certify them to do the normal stuff.... the RN would still be there.

I don't think the Standards would be lowered, Nursing Assistants would have been on the floor since 2019 are already taking blood pressure and dispensing medication by necessity.

I think they should be able to take a test... of course... but I don't think they should have to take the classes. Maybe the test could be monitored or signed off on by the RN on the floor.

I don't think they should have to pay to learn what they are already doing. NA's don't just empty bedpans or distribute food trays anymore.

Right?

 

[vraiblonde]

Nursing Assistants would have been on the floor since 2019 are already taking blood pressure and dispensing medication by necessity.

Back in the day we called NAs Candy Stripers and they do grunt work like bathing and getting poop samples. They aid the nurses.

LPNs do a lot more of the technical and medical stuff - running an IV, for example, and dispensing oral medication. A crap ton of admin/paperwork. Giving injections. Like that.