$10 million and still coming up ‘short’: adding new nurses won’t keep the experienced in place.

Did you hear the news? On May 10th, a valiant effort was made to combat the "nursing shortage" by throwing money at... nursing schools?

Because here's the thing: this isn't a shortage of nurses. It's a retention crisis. We've got plenty of brilliant, qualified nurses out there. The problem? They're fleeing the profession faster than you can say "moral injury."

Think about it. Imagine graduating with your shiny new RN license, eager to make a difference, only to be thrown into a pressure cooker.

So, here's the real question: will a fresh batch of idealistic graduates stick around when they see their seasoned colleagues sprinting for the exits? Probably not.

Don't get me wrong, new nurses are fantastic. But throwing them into this broken system is like sending lambs to the slaughter. We need to fix the work environment that's driving nurses away.

Here's a crazy idea: Let's invest in:

• Safe staffing ratios: Because nurses shouldn't have to choose between quality care and their sanity.

• Prevent and prosecute work place violence: Research estimates up to 80% of all nurses have experience verbal and/or physical abuse at work.

• Decriminalizing medication errors: Nurses should not had additional stress that unsafe staffing may lead to medical errors, in which they could be criminally charged for.

• Mental health support: Because dealing with constant stress shouldn't be part of the job description.

• Competitive salaries and benefits: Because nurses deserve to be valued for their expertise and responsibilities just like every.other.physician.and.ancillary.service

Then, and only then, should we welcome a new generation of nurses into a system that supports them. We need a sustainable solution, not a temporary bandage on a gaping wound.

Let's stop the charade. This isn't a nursing shortage; it's a nursing value crisis. Let's show nurses we appreciate them, or get ready to face the real consequence – a healthcare system without the heroes who hold it together.