Wednesday, November 3, 2004:"Nursing shortage halts surgeries at majof Vancouver hospital:"British Columbia (AP) -- One of the city's principal hospitals has referred 980 surgeries to three private hospitals because of nursing shortages in the operating rooms, authorities have confirmed.
Three operating rooms at St. Paul's Hospital in the downtown area will be closed and operations valued at about $800,000 (US$656,000) in orthopedics; general surgery; ear, nose and throat; gynecology; urology, and plastics will be contracted out."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...mp;type=health

One of the facts that nurses need to realize and take advantage of, is that hospitals cannot operate without us. When there are not enough nurses, surgeries (huge money-makers for hospitals) are canceled, entire units can be closed.

It astounds me that we let ourselves get pushed around and abused as much as I see.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com