President's Message

Alabama Nurse,  Mar-May 2004  by Flowers, Juanzetta

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On January 21, or thereabouts, many people in the world celebrated what we call Chinese New Year. Unlike our western New Year celebration, Chinese New Year is a time to rid oneself of the old and unused, a time of cleaning house with a new broom, and generally an all-round time of renewal with a forward look to the future. In reflecting on the past year with ASNA in that light, I found myself both concerned and rejuvenated. I am deeply concerned about the future of nursing in our state and country, as well as concerned about the individual nurses I know who may not be preparing well for that future. Some of my thoughts follow.

Alabama Nurses Foundation

Following the mandate it set for itself last year, in January 2004, the ANF voted to give two scholarships for $1,500 each at our annual convention in September 2004. The purpose of these scholarships is to help increase the number of nursing faculty in our state. Therefore, preference will be given to graduate nursing students who are planning to seek faculty positions upon graduation.

There is a dire need for nursing faculty in Alabama. Last year, qualified students were turned away from every baccalaureate and associate degree program in the state due to the new Board of Nursing ruling that mandates a 1-8 faculty/student ratio in the clinical areas. This is not an unreasonable ruling given the acuity of patients in most hospital settings. However, it added to the already burdened programs at a time when faculty positions are going unfilled. It also comes at a time when state monies are tight and no new money is on the horizon.

It is a true conundrum: more faculty positions are needed in order to increase student enrollment which, in turn, will increase per capital state monies. One cannot happen without the other, it seems. So, while two scholarships are not many, the ANF is one player who is stepping up to bat with the purpose of starting the process of getting more nursing faculty in Alabama. As the ANF increases its endowment funds, it will be able to give more scholarships each year. You can help by donating any amount you wish to the ANF. (See the donation form in this newsletter.)

In the meanwhile, if you are a master's student in one of the eight programs in Alabama and you want to become a nursing faculty member in Alabama, please apply for one of these scholarships. The specifications for applying are outlined elsewhere in this newsletter. Or, you can contact Helen Wilson in care of ASNA to get the criteria and application form. If you are not eligible yourself, but know someone who is, please do your part by encouraging her or him to apply.

Retirement Planning

Currently in the United States, fifty per cent of practicing registered nurses are aged 45 or more. Only a mere 10% are 30 or younger. Whichever of these age groups you find yourself in, high, low or in between, it behooves you to plan for the time when you will retire. Even if you think you will have to work forever just to make ends meet, your employer may have a different idea. You should operate from the notion that one day you will not be working and plan accordingly. No matter what your age, it is never too early or too late to put away money for an older age. Of course, the earlier you start, the more you can accrue.

The simplest way to save for retirement is through a plan with your employer. Start early and save regularly that way. The best thing about this plan is that you never see the money and, therefore, are not tempted to spend it. But, if such a plan is not available to you at work, start your own IRA and add to it each year. Employed persons can now put up to $3,000 per year in a tax deferred IRA. You can also do an IRA in addition to any other plan you have. You can put the money in monthly or yearly, whichever you prefer. Whatever else you do, an IRA is always a good thing to have in your planning.

Why am I telling you all this? Nursing is still a 90% female profession. And women are notorious for not saving for retirement. So, I am merely adding my voice to all those others who have tried to convince you to think of your future. If you think you don't have enough money now, then just think about the future when you will have even less money if you don't save now for later. Social security, even if it lasts that long, pays out based on the scale of what one earned the last 13 quarters that one worked. Even for those top earners, it is not very much money per month. Social security alone will not be enough to live on, I guarantee you. So, promise yourself to start doing whatever you can, no matter how small the amount is, to plan for your future. You will thank yourself down the road.

Nurses from India

With very few exceptions, every country in the world is reporting a shortage of nurses. But, nurses in many foreign countries are working hard to come to the United States and ignoring the plight in their own country. An article printed in the New York Times February 10, 2003, outlined how nurses in India are studying in order to come here. They attend special classes at night and take several practice examinations in order to qualify for work here. Indian nurses are particularly attractive to U.S. recruiters because they already speak English. Previously, recruiters had concentrated on the Philippines, Ireland and Canada for English-speaking nurses. This is the first incursion into India on such a large scale. One program that prepares these nurses for American jobs can turn out as many as 200 a month.