Military Can Help Solve Nurse Shortage

When I got my magazine and saw the featured article ("Nursing Shortage: Looking to the Future," March 2008), I turned immediately to it, hoping it would contain a solution in which I've had a personal interest! No such luck!

The U.S. Navy trained me as an independent duty hospital corpsman. I was working as a surgical orderly in San Diego in 1970 when a friend asked me about challenging the RN Board. I told him that I didn't know I could. Sure enough, California had passed a law in 1969, which allowed military medical corpsmen with advanced training to do so. I checked out the requirements, found that I qualified, and applied.

My training was sufficient to challenge the board. I passed and received my RN license, which I've maintained to this date. I eventually finished my naval career as a Navy hospital corpsman (you have to have a four-year degree to be an RN in the Navy) and retired in 1981. I then started working as an RN and still am as of this date, although I did retire from the County of San Diego after 10 years as an RN.

There's a untapped supply of highly trained and motivated military corpsmen who could fairly quickly and easily help with the nursing shortage. I'm disappointed that absolutely no mention was made about this possibility. If they require degrees, then evaluate their training and give them credit to speed up the process, but don't waste their training. I hope that someone will see the potential in what I'm suggesting!

James H. Hastings, RN (HM1/USN ret.)
San Diego, CA

A "Seasoned" Nurse's Kudos

As one of those "seasoned" (old) active RNs, I found the article about the nursing shortage particularly interesting. Keep up the good work.

Marcia Calhoun, RN, BSN, OCN,
CRNI, CWOCN

Consider a Career in Geriatric Care?

There are numerous options for self-employed nurses besides the minimal number in Patricia Ann Bemis's article ("Self-Employed Nurses and Patient Care," February 2008). One of the most gratifying is to become an RN Geriatric Care Manager (GCM). We help older adults and their families plan, manage, and coordinate the entire continuum of care of the elderly population. We usually make an in-depth assessment, developing a care plan, arranging for services, and following up or monitoring care. With our experience and familiarity with community resources, we can also suggest potential alternatives in care.

A GCM is a professional with specialized knowledge and expertise in senior care issues. Ideally, an RN GCM holds an advanced degree and has in-depth knowledge of the case management industry. It's a wonderful feeling to see the direct result of your personalized care improving the life of the older adult. I would recommend this profession to any emerging nurse entrepreneur with these qualifications.

Barbara Kolonay, RN, BSN, MS, CCM
Pittsburgh, PA

Recognition of Nurses Always Welcome

Thank you to Dr. Ronald W. Lindsey ("Celebrating Nurses Every Day, Not Just During National Nurses Week," Mail Box, April 2008) from all nursing staff throughout the country for appreciating the work we do on a daily basis. Although nurses are backbones of the patient care delivery system, it's sad that they're often ignored and blamed by everyone. All they need is a pat on their shoulders.

Raji Srinivasan, RN, MSN
Glendale, CA

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