KBAR1942 t1_ixbejlv wrote on November 22, 2022 at 4:18 AM

Reply to comment by eastwestnocoast in WA Patient Dies in Understaffed ER Lobby, County Council Pens Letter of "Disappointment" by vegetefubberyhi01

I find that very suspect, but admittedly I don't know. Also, each hospital may be different in terms of where they stand with a budget. As far as travelers being more than just temporary I would also doubt that from what I have been told. Again, this could be a hospital by hospital basis.

eastwestnocoast t1_ixbf9er wrote on November 22, 2022 at 4:24 AM

Yeah, it probably def depends on the individual hospital or system. I am also suspect. The ED I used to work at brought in a ton of travelers during COVID, supposed to be temporary to “get us through” but now, according to my friends who are still there, they’re still hiring majority travelers. An inpatient floor I was recently at at Prov had maybe 50% travelers for day shift and nights was 90% travelers. Though supposedly they are trying to get rid of travelers, which should be interesting considering they’re hemorrhaging core staff right now. Not sure who will be left to care for patients.

KBAR1942 t1_ixbfw14 wrote on November 22, 2022 at 4:31 AM

And this is my concern as well. If a hospital can't afford with regular staff and/or travelers then what will it do?

eastwestnocoast t1_ixbgp2v wrote on November 22, 2022 at 4:38 AM

That’s the million dollar question.

I mean, I’d happily volunteer to teach an overpaid administrator how to insert a foley cath, hang IV meds, calm down a pt in the middle of a mental health crisis, etc. if they think it’s such an easy job. Hell, I’d PAY to teach them how to care for a pt with a leaky rectal tube.

KBAR1942 t1_ixbgxzo wrote on November 22, 2022 at 4:41 AM

Yeah, I wouldn't get your hopes up on that! 😂

whitepawn23 t1_ixds63z wrote on November 22, 2022 at 6:06 PM

Part of the issue is working conditions. Violence. Hospitals really should do weapons screenings at the door. Few if any want to. It will take a state mandate.

Ratios. Oregon is golden. California is golden. Washington is flailing.

The language needs to be stated correctly. There isn’t a nursing shortage. There’s a shortage of nurses willing to work bedside.

Sure, OR takes 9-10% in state income tax. But I’ll happily pay it on those contracts for the better, safer working conditions.

whitepawn23 t1_ixdr7s5 wrote on November 22, 2022 at 6:00 PM

The other issue is many contracts pay less than staff so there’s no reason to go. Especially out here. Stipends for Seattle Metro / west side if the sound do NOT cover rentals and the taxed pay isn’t worth it.