By Jackson Melin
Screenshot taken from AMN Healthcare’s website, on article “How to choose a stethoscope: A nurse’s guide,” August 22, 2019.
The nationwide nursing shortage has been an ongoing issue since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, The Department of Education has reclassified nursing as not being a “professional degree,” a decision that some believe could affect how much money students can borrow, loan limits and degree eligibility.
I spoke with nurses and nursing students about how the shortage has affected them and their views on the profession’s future.
Jackson Melin: How has the nursing shortage affected you personally?
Aracely Aguirre, CNA, RN student at AZ College of Nursing: The shortage hasn’t negatively impacted me too much. I work my same nights, and although my company has hired more people, a lot of people have gone PRN, as needed.
Priscilla Chavira, LPN, RN student at Jersey College: It’s been difficult because it makes every shift understaffed. It allows you to have your pick of the jobs, but there are no additional nurses or CNAs to help when someone calls out or the census is high.
I’m constantly being asked to come in for additional shifts because every facility is looking for more people.
JM: Do you think nurses are paid fairly?
Jessica Orozco, LPN, CNA: We aren’t paid nearly enough for the work we do. CNAs are the first level of contact between a patient and the nurses or doctors.
Not only are you mentally exhausted at the end of a shift, but I’m physically sore from lifting and transferring patients all day.
People don’t want to pay CNAs or LPNs a livable wage, but who will care for them when they get old and need help?
David Mota, CNA: The place I work now doesn’t pay the highest, but it allows me to work without burning out. I used to work at an agency, and the places that pay the highest are usually paying that for a reason.
Too many people burn out in the first few years because they chase the highest-paying jobs, and those places often can’t keep staff because of how they are run.
JM: What are the working conditions like?
Daniel Melin, LPN, RN student at Pima Community College: I’ve worked at an agency and in mental health and skilled nursing facilities for the majority of my career, and some of the worst facilities I’ve worked in are still open.
I’ve seen roaches and mice in patients’ rooms and nurses’ stations, and patients with wounds neglected for days on end. Sadly, the cleanest facilities are the ones that are very expensive to live in. When I get old, I’m not going to be able to afford to live in the nicer places I’ve worked.
JM: How do you feel about President Trump’s administration reclassifying nursing as not a “professional” career?
Faisal Abdi, CNA, RN student at Grand Canyon University: Classifying nurses as nonprofessionals just makes it harder for nursing students to get loans. Obviously, it was professional enough during the pandemic to be considered one of the few “essential” workers.
It may lead to lower wages in the near future since the Department of Education doesn’t recognize it as a legitimate major. In a field that already has a shortage, making it harder for people to get loans creates unnecessary roadblocks.
Thanks to all the nurses and nursing students who participated in this piece.
I have a personal connection to this issue. My brother, Daniel Melin (featured in this article) has worked as an LPN for several years and is graduating from Pima Community College’s RN program in December.