Originally posted on Kaiser.org  and in the Integral Health pod.

Nursing Schools Reject Increased Number of Applicants Over Lack of Faculty Members

Nursing schools nationwide rejected more than 41,000 qualified applicants in 2005, compared with 33,000 in 2004 and 18,000 in 2003, and three out of four schools attributed the increased rejections in large part to an insufficient number of faculty members, according to an annual survey conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, USA Today reports. As the 2006 academic year begins, 7.9% of faculty positions at nursing schools remain vacant, and, in response, a number of schools have launched programs to help increase the number of faculty members with help from the federal government, hospitals and the health insurance industry. For example, 14 nursing schools have launched doctoral programs to prepare nurses to teach or work as supervisors in hospitals, and an additional 190 programs are in development. In addition, 31 nursing schools since 2000 have launched fast-track programs that reduce the time required to earn a doctorate by at least one year, and an additional 13 programs are in development. Sally Lundeen, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing, said, “We have increased interest in the profession at exactly the time when we need to ratchet up our preparation of staff nurses, but we have too few faculty, and the ones that we have are gray and contemplating retirement in droves over the next few years.” According to USA Today, “That's bad news for a nation braced for a worsening shortage of nurses.” HHS expects the current 10% vacancy rate for nursing positions to increase to 36%, or more than one million positions, by 2020 (MacDonald, USA Today, 10/4).


***************************************************************************************************

Interesting, I did not know that these numbers were that high. This is something for me to definitely consider as I plan for my future prospects. I would also like to add that a nurse is likely to receive higher pay at the bedside, rather than in a faculty position. As a result most nurses will not pursue faculty positions. This is very unfortunate because baccalaureate education has progressed over the years. We encourage more entrepreneurship in nursing, teach holistic and alternative practices in healing, and promote graduate education to be NP and health care administrator's. I believe that this can benefit the health care system as a whole. Nursing philosophy is largely overshadowed by the medical model and more nurses in leadership and research positions can help bring balance to the current fragmented “system” that we have today. But this is only one piece of the puzzle, I realize that. But What can I say…i am biased!

Monica RN, BSN

Originally posted on Kaiser.org

• "Universal Care Appeals to U.S.A.": Fifty-six percent of adults said they would prefer a universal health care system to the current U.S. health care system, according to the ABC News/Kaiser Family Foundation/USA Today survey. However, the survey found that 76% of adults said they would oppose universal coverage if some medical treatments would no longer be covered. However, the survey found that support drops to 18% if some medical treatments would no longer be covered, 28% if universal coverage limits their choice of doctors and 35% if it meant they would pay higher taxes or health insurance premiums (Appleby [2], USA Today, 10/16).

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

We want our cake and we want to eat it too. We want to be able to drink our  fat burning cola without having to worry about gaining weight . We want changes to happen but do not want to give up or give more of our own personal lives to make a difference. We want the best for our world and our country as long as it does not interrupt our daily routine. “What is in it for me”?

Universal coverage can be implemented, but it will require a shift in consciousness and effort on ALL . For those of us that are wealthy and healthy enough we need to continue or  start making  changes  and choices by taking personal responsibility for our own health and not relying on  an authority figure to do it for us. If we are in health care, we can start promoting health and wellness instead of disease management.  Those that are able to make the changes, we should, it is our obligation to help society and not just focus on our own personal gain and happiness.

Is this a good enough reason for the majority? probably not. Why should we care? What convincing arguments are out there that can convince the majority of those that personal sacrifice is sometimes needed for the greater good? How do we help others  realize that THEY can be in control of  their own health and that will lessen control from any-other outside source?

monica

This is my latest obsession, and one of my favorite artists. I absolutely LOVE  his new album Till the Sun Turns Black. Beautiful lyrics ,  reflects such intense depth and shadow.....
***************************************************************************************************
Empty Lyrics

She lifts her skirt up to her knees
Walks through the garden rows with her bare feet, laughing
I never learned to count my blessings
I choose instead to dwell in my disasters

Walk on down the hill
Through the grass grown tall and brown
And still it's hard somehow to let go of my pain
On past the busted back
Of that old and rusted Cadillac
That sinks into this field collecting rain

Will I always feel this way
So empty, so estranged

Of these cutthroat busted sunsets
These cold and damp white mornings I have grown weary
If through my cracked and dusty dimestore lips
I spoke these words out loud would no one hear me

Lay your blouse across the chair
Let fall the flowers from your hair
And kiss me with that country mouth so plain
Outside the rain is tapping on the leaves
To me it sounds like they're applauding us
The quiet love we make

Will I always feel this way
So empty, so estranged

Well I looked my demons in the eye
Laid bare my chest said do your best destroy me
See I've been to hell and back so many times
I must admit you kinda bore me

There's a lot of things that can kill a man
There's a lot of ways to die
Yes and some already dead who walk beside me
There's a lot of things I don't understand
Why so many people lie
Well it's the hurt I hide that fuels the fires inside me