Toward Ecosophy

I'm at a community hospital owned by Steward, a large national outfit, #2 I think. At one point they were getting rid of PAs, physicians assistants, and NPs, nurse practioners, for MDs. Now we have 3rd world visa MDs overseeing inadequate Pas and NPs over the phone from other parts of, or outside the hospital, in Massachusetts, from as far away as Texas, by phone or video link. One nurse was offered doubletime plus $300 to work a shift at another hospital that was short staffed. Nurses are taking these shifts up to a point, but are so understaffed and overworked on these shifts that the guilt and burnout isn't worth it after just a few of them.

I started out giving each patient the time they needed. Soon I was 'balancing' the needs of the current patient against my need to provide for all my patients. I am now short changing each patient I see. I am guilty. I am.