I am not a nurse but have the benefit of being a casual observer to a profession on the brink of disaster. I see nurses working long hours doing arduous highly technical work for comparatively low pay. It appears to me that hospitals tend to view nurses like home appliances…keep using them till they crap out and then just get a new one. I don’t understand. These women and me are dedicated, highly skilled professionals….why aren’t they treated better?

We are on the brink of a true crisis in this country. Eventually, people will see nursing for what it has become and not join this noble profession. I’m sorry about this on so many levels. First, we need talented, caring people to care for us when we are sick. Second, nurses simply deserve better.

You have a point. unless nurses demand to be treated better, nothing will change. Nurses have to stand up for their rights or continue to be walked upon. Sad but true I think. So, why aren't more nurses willing to demain to be treated with respect?

At the hospital where I work I am treated with respect, and I've always felt like a valued member of the team. If there are nurses out there allowing themselves to be "walked upon" then they should probably think about (1) changing jobs and (2) why they would allow themselves to be treated in that manner.

I'm working at a hospital where nurses are involved in adminstrative decisions and we are recognized as a respected profession. I think that nursing is similar to police work and that people will continue to join the profession because they want to help people and they would not be happy doing anything else. I personally can not see myself working a 9-5 job somewhere working in an office.