Long Overdue Nurse Talk

Overview

• Current state of bedside nursing is concerning
• Future of nursing in America looks bleak
• Transition from ICU to mental health and med-surg

Bedside Nursing Challenges

• Bedside nursing has changed significantly over the years
• Patient ratios and acuity levels have increased dramatically
  • Patients are sicker, more comorbidities
  • Med-surg patients now require higher-level care
• Lack of CNAs and support staff exacerbates the issue

Personal Experience and Career Path

• Experience primarily in ICU
• Transitioned to mental health and PRN med-surg
• Strategic career moves for better work-life balance

Changes in Nursing Education and Career Choices

• Younger nurses are not staying at the bedside long-term
• Many seek alternative careers or advanced practice roles
• Nursing no longer a family tradition or desirable career

Future of Nursing

• Nurses burning out and leaving the profession
• Decrease in younger generation entering nursing
• Administration's lack of support and understanding

Patient Care and Family Involvement

• Increased burden on nurses affects patient care quality
• Family members need to be more involved in care

Current Systemic Issues

• Hospital administration failing to address nurse workload
• Need for nationwide safe staffing ratios

Personal Reflections and Call to Action

• Importance of personal health and lifestyle changes
• Nurses need more support and reasonable expectations
• Urgent need for systemic changes in healthcare

Conclusion

• The current nursing environment is unsustainable
• A call for feedback and shared experiences from other nurses

Final Thoughts

• Importance of maintaining personal well-being
• Balancing work, education, and personal life

These notes summarize a detailed discussion on the current challenges facing bedside nurses, the future outlook of nursing in America, and the personal reflections and career trajectory of a seasoned nurse.