Thank you to all of our nurses for all you do.
Nurses are the glue that holds the health care team together. This week, Dr. Connie Perkins, founding director of the St. Bonaventure University nursing department, joined us to talk about nursing, its future and RN-to-patient safety ratios.
Dr. Perkins explained to us her pathway to healing and educating as well as the role nurses play on the health care team. We referenced data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook particularly related to median salary and job prospects. You may find those data here.
We spent quite a bit of our time discussing the safe RN-to-patient staffing ratios. Dr. Perkins noted that the problem is complex and widespread. It is easy to think that nursing staffing shortages exist in rural areas but they exist everywhere. What does that mean for patient care? Well, it may suffer. The National Campaign for Safe RN-to-Patient Staffing Ratios has a wonderful infographic detailing the recommended staffing ratios. I have copied the graphic below:
National Nurses United distributed a fact sheet detailing the problems associated with poor staffing ratios. Please view it here.
You might argue that we are hearing a one-sided narrative...that of the nurses. You would be correct. Could I get information from the other side? Hospitals? Management? I could. We will discuss that larger issue in an upcoming podcast series devoted to health care in the United States. Until then let me say this....I worked in health care in creative services/public relations for a number of years before becoming a professor. I can tell you that people become nurses because they are dedicated to the care of their patients. They aren't in it for the glory or the money. They care about people. If nurses tell you that in order to provide the highest quality care they need the resources and staffing ratios noted in this blog post then believe them.
Shifting gears from the serious to the seriously not serious....
This week's ARS (Arbitrary Random Stat) comes from several sources found by doing a quick Google search of "what drives people crazy with websites" or "what do people dislike about websites." Try searching yourself. Several sites popped up with much the same information. I compiled my list from it.
I did note that I was draw to this week's ARS from an article I saw several years ago that I can no longer find. If you find it - let me know! Share it! A few years ago what drove people nuts were extended stories ahead of recipes. Just tell me what's in the recipe and how to make it. I don't care that your grandmother brought the recipe with her tucked snugly in her corset when she immigrated from the Old World.
It did give me an idea, though. I also host another website/blog at Tippy Homestead. I will often post recipes I've enjoyed. I think I might make up stories ahead of those recipes. I enjoy dabbling in fiction (though not on this blog because this blog is science and data) and might enjoy making up stories to go with my recipes. I have a wonderful recipe for potato and leek soup. Pop over to the site to see what I associate with it....