Having spent some time on the care delivery side, the pressure on our providers has been building since the late '80s. There was the LOS and census management consultants that "cut to the bone" nurse staffing and shift management. This occured in non-profit and for-profit facilities. Now, almost 40 years later, our corporatization of care at every turn has created a crisis for the care provider. We need to remove the profit incentives that have plagued health care and return the delivery of care to the good doctors, nurses, mental health providers, and ancillary practitioners.
I am writing as a nurse of 38 years. Once a Critical Care Nurse in the Cleveland Area for 27 years, now an administrative nurse who works for the FDVA at the state level in Florida. Although; an administrative nurse. I am still working at the bed side performing necessary patient care and services. I am burned out! None of our facilities can even hire a bad nurse with morals and appropriate follow through. Physicians and nurses still push forward with the day to day slap in the face. Physicians are fighting with insurance companies and nurses are struggling just to keep their heads above water and provide quality care and services to the patient and the patient's family. This is now an undoable task. What will come next? We are all going to have to clean up our act and do the right thing for the patient and our-self morally. When I used to drive home at night after work I felt like I made a difference. I no longer have that feeling. Morally, we all used to do the right think and fight for our patient's along with their family. Our hands are tied! Lets figure out a way to untie our hands and do whats right!
Having spent some time on the care delivery side, the pressure on our providers has been building since the late '80s. There was the LOS and census management consultants that "cut to the bone" nurse staffing and shift management. This occured in non-profit and for-profit facilities. Now, almost 40 years later, our corporatization of care at every turn has created a crisis for the care provider. We need to remove the profit incentives that have plagued health care and return the delivery of care to the good doctors, nurses, mental health providers, and ancillary practitioners.
Good article, Wendell!
"Moral Injury" does not resonate with me. It sounds academic. It does not create the rage which should be created by the current mess.
Seems like this term would include the care providers forced to push/administer COVID jabs against their better judgement?
I am writing as a nurse of 38 years. Once a Critical Care Nurse in the Cleveland Area for 27 years, now an administrative nurse who works for the FDVA at the state level in Florida. Although; an administrative nurse. I am still working at the bed side performing necessary patient care and services. I am burned out! None of our facilities can even hire a bad nurse with morals and appropriate follow through. Physicians and nurses still push forward with the day to day slap in the face. Physicians are fighting with insurance companies and nurses are struggling just to keep their heads above water and provide quality care and services to the patient and the patient's family. This is now an undoable task. What will come next? We are all going to have to clean up our act and do the right thing for the patient and our-self morally. When I used to drive home at night after work I felt like I made a difference. I no longer have that feeling. Morally, we all used to do the right think and fight for our patient's along with their family. Our hands are tied! Lets figure out a way to untie our hands and do whats right!