[Trilby]

Why does this not surprise me? Why do you think there is a nursing shortage? While it's true that women have more employment options (for example, becoming a doctor instead of having to "settle" for nursing) it's really all about the insanity of the profession. I worked more shifts understaffed than correctly staffed--and that's not by my own perception of what staff I personally felt was needed, but what the hospital itself, in it's own policy manual, said was appropriate. Two nurses for 16 patients doesn't get it. If I had a loved one in the hospital these days, I'd break out the overnight cot and stay with them day and night. You cannot count on someone to 'be there' for them, even if they are in critical condition. Give it ten more years and you'll really see the shit hit the fan. Sad, sad, sad.