When we are at our worst, they are there to help us heal. Our country could face a shortage of one million nurses by the end of the decade. During this National Nurses Week, how the calling forced one Rochesterian to change his life.
“I knew I wasn't going to get 25-more years at Kodak."
Bob Venishel did research at Kodak Park for a good part of his life. He saw the writing on the wall.
“The layoffs were every three to six months." Bob talked with his wife and kids about his future and then, “I went to play hockey one night and a gentleman had a massive heart attack right there at my feet and passed away."
That gentleman was 39. Bob was 40. He realized then, his place in this world was helping people.
“It was a hard road. A hard road to get here."
When we are at our worst, they are there to help us heal. Our country could face a shortage of one million nurses by the end of the decade.
Balancing work, school and family for two years, Bob became an RN in December. He said he wasn’t mature enough years ago for this job.
“I think you have to be mature enough to leave all your daily problems or any problems you have at the door each day. You have to focus on the patient and don't worry about anything else."
That isn't easy. Neither is nursing. Stress and overwork are the top complaints. A recent survey found hospitals doing more with less isn't working. The journal “Health Affairs” said if hospitals increased RN staffing and hours of nursing care per patient, thousands of deaths and millions of days in hospitals could be avoided each year.
“Nurses are underappreciated and underpaid,” said Carol Roys. She has the utmost admiration for nurses. She's feeling better because of the anti-drug Nurse Bob is dishing out.
He said, “If you go into the room with a smile on your face, I think it’s contagious."
Bob is now training to become a trauma nurse, to work in the emergency department.