"Reverend Crantz" wrote in message
. ..


Brilliant insight. A good number of people are going into nursing today
because of the relatively high pay.

That's hardly a brilliant insight. Nurses rank among the most underpaid
professionals, and they always have. In 1906, nurses earned about 1/3 of
the income of the average physician. What is that ratio now? I'm guessing
it's closer to 1/6 on average, based upon family practitioners, not
specialists or subspecialists, where it could be as low as 1/20 or more.

When there are enough nurses pay will decrease.

There never will be "enough nurses." The shortage is exacerbating and has
been for decades. Adequate staffing for my wife's unit is her chief
administrative problem.

Why is there such a nurse "shortage"? Previously causes were bad working
conditions, lousy pay and long hours. Nurses left the field in droves. Do
you think it will be any different this time around?

Nope. The hours are the worst feature--most nurses work weekends, nights or
evenings, and they are required to work double shifts if called upon to do
so due to weather or sufficient call-offs. The pay is not commensurate with
the level of education or the responsibility assumed. And the burnout rate
is exacerbating. Too many young women enter nursing with unrealistic
expectations, only to leave a few years later for better hours with less
responsibility and stress.

Max

"Maxprop" wrote in message
k.net...

"Reverend Crantz" wrote in message
. ..


Brilliant insight. A good number of people are going into nursing today
because of the relatively high pay.

That's hardly a brilliant insight.

But it is great sarcasm.

Nurses rank among the most underpaid professionals, and they always have.
In 1906, nurses earned about 1/3 of the income of the average physician.
What is that ratio now? I'm guessing it's closer to 1/6 on average, based
upon family practitioners, not specialists or subspecialists, where it
could be as low as 1/20 or more.

What do doctors (GP's) earn? What does a nurse earn?

I think the most underpaid and overworked professionals are teachers and
accountants.



When there are enough nurses pay will decrease.

There never will be "enough nurses." The shortage is exacerbating and has
been for decades. Adequate staffing for my wife's unit is her chief
administrative problem.

There are always enough nurses at the right price. For decades there has
been an engineer shortage, even during the massive layoffs.



Why is there such a nurse "shortage"? Previously causes were bad working
conditions, lousy pay and long hours. Nurses left the field in droves. Do
you think it will be any different this time around?

Nope. The hours are the worst feature--most nurses work weekends, nights
or evenings, and they are required to work double shifts if called upon to
do so due to weather or sufficient call-offs.

They get paid for that double shift or comp time - right? In aerospace
double shift means unpaid overtime. It's not unheard of 80 hour weeks for
months on end.

The pay is not commensurate with the level of education or the
responsibility assumed.

Yes it is, the people are willing to work for it. Pay (reward) should be
proportional to the risk assumed.


And the burnout rate
is exacerbating. Too many young women enter nursing with unrealistic
expectations, only to leave a few years later for better hours with less
responsibility and stress.

Same reason people quit being lawyers, accountants, doctors (high suicide
rate too), engineers, etc. Guess what - the only ones that can handle the
rat race are the rats.

The health of the general population would be much better if they shed their
high stress jobs. Most illness stem from the workplace and the lifestyle it
induces.



Max

"Bob Crantz" wrote in message

What do doctors (GP's) earn?

Depends upon locale and demographics. In cities with high demand for good
GPs, they can earn half a million (net) easily. In rural America they might
struggle five or six days a week for $150K.

What does a nurse earn?

Again it depends. In underserved cities with great demand, they can receive
a $25K sign-on bonus and with evening or night differential earn $100K per
year. In most places the average staff nurse on a med-surg flood makes
about $50K per year. A Clincal Nurse Specialist in ICU generally will earn
around $75K to $100K per year. A busy nurse anesthetist can earn $300K per
year, especially if he/she is willing to travel.

I think the most underpaid and overworked professionals are teachers and
accountants.

No one dies if they screw up. They may be overworked and underpaid, but the
responsibility factor just isn't the same as in health care.


There are always enough nurses at the right price.

You should know that money is not the prime motivator in today's workforce.
Hours, time off, and job satisfaction are greater motivators. Money is
important, but it's consistently #4 or #5 on people's lists.

They get paid for that double shift or comp time - right?

Of course. In some cases they get time and a half, or even double time pay.
But most nurses, excepting those with huge financial burdens, would rather
have the time off with family.

Yes it is, the people are willing to work for it. Pay (reward) should be
proportional to the risk assumed.

It should be, yes.

Same reason people quit being lawyers, accountants, doctors (high suicide
rate too), engineers, etc. Guess what - the only ones that can handle the
rat race are the rats.

The health of the general population would be much better if they shed
their high stress jobs. Most illness stem from the workplace and the
lifestyle it induces.

I can't argue with that, primarily because I don't have data to support or
deny. But it wouldn't surprise me. That said, most jobs have a high-stress
component. Few don't. Add McDonald's lunches, excessive drinking after
work, and a lack of exercise, and we've got a populace on the verge of
mental or physical catastrophe, save for one particularly stressful episode.

Max

"Maxprop" wrote in


I think the most underpaid and overworked professionals
are teachers and
accountants.

No one dies if they screw up. They may be overworked and
underpaid, but the
responsibility factor just isn't the same as in health
care.


Teachers, GOOD teachers are more important to our society
than nurses.



Of course. In some cases they get time and a half, or
even double time pay.
But most nurses, excepting those with huge financial
burdens, would rather
have the time off with family.

I would imagine Suzzette spends as much time as possible on
the job.



That said, most jobs have a high-stress
component. Few don't. Add McDonald's lunches, excessive
drinking after
work, and a lack of exercise, and we've got a populace on
the verge of
mental or physical catastrophe, save for one particularly
stressful episode.


Do you work at the post office, Max?

Scotty