eastwestnocoast t1_ixbdsf6 wrote
Reply to comment by KBAR1942 in WA Patient Dies in Understaffed ER Lobby, County Council Pens Letter of "Disappointment" by vegetefubberyhi01
So, I asked an acquaintance of mine who worked as a hospital admin why they keep getting travelers instead of paying core staff more and their response was that after considering all the benefits they have to pay for their core staff, travelers are actually cheaper (short term). I don’t know how true this is or if I was getting smoke blown up my @ss, but that was what I was told. Issue is, travelers aren’t really temporary anymore, they seem like they’re here to stay unless they can actually keep core staff, which they won’t be able to unless they pay them more.
KBAR1942 t1_ixbejlv wrote
I find that very suspect, but admittedly I don't know. Also, each hospital may be different in terms of where they stand with a budget. As far as travelers being more than just temporary I would also doubt that from what I have been told. Again, this could be a hospital by hospital basis.
eastwestnocoast t1_ixbf9er wrote
Yeah, it probably def depends on the individual hospital or system. I am also suspect. The ED I used to work at brought in a ton of travelers during COVID, supposed to be temporary to “get us through” but now, according to my friends who are still there, they’re still hiring majority travelers. An inpatient floor I was recently at at Prov had maybe 50% travelers for day shift and nights was 90% travelers. Though supposedly they are trying to get rid of travelers, which should be interesting considering they’re hemorrhaging core staff right now. Not sure who will be left to care for patients.
KBAR1942 t1_ixbfw14 wrote
And this is my concern as well. If a hospital can't afford with regular staff and/or travelers then what will it do?
eastwestnocoast t1_ixbgp2v wrote
That’s the million dollar question.
I mean, I’d happily volunteer to teach an overpaid administrator how to insert a foley cath, hang IV meds, calm down a pt in the middle of a mental health crisis, etc. if they think it’s such an easy job. Hell, I’d PAY to teach them how to care for a pt with a leaky rectal tube.
KBAR1942 t1_ixbgxzo wrote
Yeah, I wouldn't get your hopes up on that! 😂
whitepawn23 t1_ixds63z wrote
Part of the issue is working conditions. Violence. Hospitals really should do weapons screenings at the door. Few if any want to. It will take a state mandate.
Ratios. Oregon is golden. California is golden. Washington is flailing.
The language needs to be stated correctly. There isn’t a nursing shortage. There’s a shortage of nurses willing to work bedside.
Sure, OR takes 9-10% in state income tax. But I’ll happily pay it on those contracts for the better, safer working conditions.
whitepawn23 t1_ixdr7s5 wrote
The other issue is many contracts pay less than staff so there’s no reason to go. Especially out here. Stipends for Seattle Metro / west side if the sound do NOT cover rentals and the taxed pay isn’t worth it.
jojoclifford t1_ixfxj56 wrote
It’s cheaper than raising wages permanently for all staff. They will do anything to continue screwing healthcare workers over. The joke is on them too though. They have fucked us all into a corner and we will never hire enough non contract staff to sustain the workload.
whitepawn23 t1_ixdqtq6 wrote
Travelers get health insurance. 401k is payed by the agency.
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