We thought we chose a good path,
Because in the past,
There’s been a shortage,
So they need nurses right?
But now we can’t sleep at night
Too many questions unanswered
Like will I get a job?
Or what even is this all for?
When there was only forty-four
percent of new grads who got a role
Is it all for nothing?
Studying plus the part-time jobs
the government said we should be doing
They said unemployed people are lazy,
So are we?
Will it ever be worth it?
The moments of stress,
Going to unpaid placements and having to pass the test.
But still we try our best
Despite the burnout and feelings of doubt
I paid the price, tuition and time
Hoping that soon a role will be mine
They want experience
but guess where the experienced are
They’ve already left
and moved away very far
Meanwhile the people that stay,
Just keep trying to make a living day by day
Yes, there’s new hospital buildings,
but there’s barely new staff,
Can new grads work there?
Questions ignored,
while there’s still more than half
of them wishing to be employed.
Meanwhile, the nurses who ARE employed try to help,
but they’re now sacrificing THEIR own health
Short-staffed and over-worked,
How is it fair?
They don’t care
until they’re the one, needing the care
– Shimee Araguas is a nursing student who shared this poem recently at a community meeting called by North Shore Hospital workers over unsafe staffing.