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Today, we will be delving into another example of nurse gaslighting . . .reported in a thinly veiled article that discusses  the critical impact of social media on young individuals considering nursing careers, as well as exploring the current state of the nursing profession based on recent data. Join me as we unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the nursing profession in today’s healthcare landscape.  

But here’s the thing 🤯

When this information was recently published in an online edition of the prominent periodical The Hill published it’s story, the headline blamed social media as the reason for prospective nurses choosing different professions and NOT the dumpster-fire-like working conditions that millions of nurses endure each day.

Social media putting off young people from pursuing careers in nursing: Report

So, what we really have here is another example of nurse gaslighting – now it’s social media’s fault! 🤔

It couldn’t possibly be due to the broken healthcare system, profit-driven goals, and severely understaffed and under-resourced working conditions. 🙃

The Hill reported that in a recent report from nursing marketplace platform ShiftKey, it was revealed that some members of Generation Z interested in pursuing nursing careers are being deterred by negative content on social media platforms. The report surveyed 1,000 individuals aged 18 to 26, shedding light on the detrimental effects of social media on aspiring nurses.

This report is consistent with the evidence pertaining to why nurses are leaving or not entering the profession, but there was a “media spin” to blame it on social media.

The ShiftKey data actually aligns with the findings from the 2024 State of Nursing Report, where:

  •  54% of nurses reported being dissatisfied in their roles. 
  • Only 24% expressed optimism about the future of nursing, indicating a concerning trend in the profession. 
  • Nearly 60% of nurses reported experiencing burnout.
  • 64% of nurses are facing mental health challenges, highlighting the pressing need for systemic change. 💯
  • 52% of nurses feel unsupported at work
  • 53% lack adequate backup. 
  • Nearly 60% of nurses believe that profits are prioritized over patients and nurses, underscoring the urgent need for a shift in priorities within healthcare organizations.

When we unpack the source that The Hill is citing and review the bullet point facts above, it’s clear that the media spin doctors are doing what they do best – obfuscating the truth!

As nurses, we know what is really happening. Here’s a brief outline of what is really happening underneath the media spin doctoring:

Challenges Faced by Nurses:

For nurses planning to leave their current positions, the top reasons included;

  • The desire to make more money, 
  • Frustration with current administration, 
  • The need for better staffing ratios, reflecting the systemic issues plaguing the nursing profession. 
  • The intention to transition away from bedside nursing
  • Desire to pursue further education, 
  • The need to explore alternative nursing opportunities.

Despite some improvements in pay, nurses still feel underpaid and overworked, with a record number of strikes demanding fair compensation. The average annual salary for nurses ranges from $61,000 to $90,000, aligning with data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, 29% of nurses reported relying on secondary forms of income, indicating financial strain within the profession.

The Nursing Shortage and Calls for Change:

The nursing shortage remains a pressing issue, with 84% of nurses believing it is worsening. Factors contributing to the shortage include 

  • Burnout, 
  • Nurse-specific traumatization
  • Poor working conditions
  • Inadequate pay. 

Nurses emphasized the need for 

  • Improved staffing ratios
  • Better compensation
  • Enhanced working conditions
  • The need to retain experienced nurses and attract new talent to the field.

Nowhere in the actual report was social media cited as a factor contributing to attracting or retaining nurses 0️⃣🙈🚫.

Nowhere.

Literally nowhere.

Implications of Nurse Dissatisfaction:

The implications of nurse dissatisfaction are far-reaching and can have detrimental effects on patient safety and care outcomes, and overall healthcare quality. When nurses are dissatisfied in their roles, they may be less engaged, less motivated, and more prone to making errors or providing suboptimal care to patients.

High levels of nurse dissatisfaction can lead to increased turnover rates, which can further exacerbate the nursing shortage and create challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels in healthcare settings. This can, in turn, lead to increased workloads for remaining nurses, further contributing to feelings of burnout and dissatisfaction.

It’s a positive feedback loop that, left unbroken and redirected, has deleterious consequences for nurses and patients alike 😱.

Calls for Change and Advocacy:

In light of the concerning findings from the 2024 State of Nursing Survey and the ShiftKey data, there is a clear call to action for healthcare organizations, policymakers, and stakeholders to address the systemic issues facing the nursing profession. Nurses are advocating for improved staffing ratios, better compensation, and enhanced working conditions to ensure a sustainable and thriving healthcare workforce.

But here’s the catch.  

The for-profit healthcare system doesn’t want to address the issues.  It’s not in their financial interest, nor that of their shareholders, to do so.

That’s where we come in as a global nursing workforce that represents 30-50% of all health professionals.

It starts with each of us.  As individual nurses, we must heal from all that we’ve endured, learn how to insulate ourselves from the broken system and toxic workplaces.

Then, we come together, in our teams, our units, our organizations, our states, and our nations to say no more.  

It’s time to end nurse gaslighting and avoidable nurse-specific traumatization.

It’s time to usher in a new era of nursing that prioritizes nurse safety and professional wellbeing

You can start doing your part today.

You can learn if and how you’ve been affected by taking this one-minute self-survey.  We’ll send you a complete report with actionable steps that you can take whenever you’re ready.

Please consider attending my free, 90-minute webinar.  There, I’ll unpack the silent epidemic that is affecting millions of nurses . . .perhaps even you.

Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on critical issues impacting the nursing profession in future episodes. From my healer’s heart to yours and until next time, namaste. 

Dr. Lorre 💕

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