this post was submitted on 25 May 2026
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Are these really the people that should be required to work so much? Isn't their job about handling life and death daily? Wouldn't we want exactly these people to come fully rested to work every single day and be fully staffed?

I don't know if there are jobs with similar stakes that are so carelessly staffed and disgustingly paid.

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[–] atro_city@fedia.io 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

How is nursing a backup? Are the requirements that low in the US (I'm assuming "Southwest" is in the US?)

[–] Bluewing@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

No, the requirements aren't that low. But there are levels of nursing. Each requiring different levels of education and licensing. From LPN, Licensed Practical Nurse the entry level that takes about a year, to RN, Registered Nurse, can take 2 to 4 years. A 4 year BS degree is a degreed RN. Then you can continue to other licensing degrees like RN-P, Registered Nurse Practitioner-- with a limited doctor scope of medicine to take the pressure off of General Practitioner doctors. And a host of specialties nurses can go into. With median wages around $90,000US. And easy opportunities to earn well over $100,00US per year.

Much of the staffing issues centers around many nurses wanting to only work 20 to 25 hours a week. I have a friend that was head of a nursing department in a hospital for many years, and she was always complaining that she couldn't get nurses to work more than 30 hours a week. And most refused to work more than 25 hours.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 20 hours ago

dint know they all wanted part time statuses, it make sense since they had to work 40+ for a long time. plus nursing seems stressfull , if you give your bosses an inch they will take a mile with your hours.

[–] Horsey@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

With how hard nurses work, I wouldn’t work more than 30 either lol. I’m willing to bet they’re doing 3 10s, some overnight. My aunt does 3 12s in 3 days then takes 4 days off.

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Nurses don't need much training for the lower tiers (e.g. bed pushers).
Or you can change careers and need to do training but the barrier to entry is IMO way lower than say business analyst where you need to know economy topics.
Diagnostics do doctors, medicine orders do doctors. What do nurses do that arent ordered/instructed by doctors beforehand? And what about it can't be learned a few months in advance?

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (1 children)

ive been seeing alot OF NPs, they get higher pay and can work in somewhat as a standin for PAs/ or MDs, my last healthcare group plan had mostly NPs.(they rotate all the health professionals like paper, so there is pretty much a high turnover, but its for the benefit of the PAs/MDs or NP, since the health network was more of starting your career type and getting more experience.

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 20 hours ago

I know of a relative that is officially "just a" trained nurse (with various additional qualifications).
But the kicker: Doctors come to the relative for advice.
A studied medical professional overcame their ego and asked a nurse for advice.

I am working in IT with medical personal as my client. And instructing/giving advice to them is usually more like pulling teeth because they feel they are higher on the totem pole.
Some do listed to me but others...Man...