SPOTLIGHT: Is there really a nursing shortage?

Sure, there are nursing jobs open everywhere. But that's because the industry treats nurses so badly, not because there's not enough nurses to go around, writes one 20-year nursing veteran. Just eliminate mandatory overtime, take nurse input on patient care issues seriously and maintain a decent nurse to patient ratio, and you'll be amazed at how much easier it is to recruit and retain nursing professionals, the writer says. And the benefits of doing so go well beyond morale. After all, happy nurses who aren't overworked provide the best care, work the most efficiently and ultimately, save facilities money. Blog