I don't think wages are the issue. I have a sister-in-law, and a sister has a step-son who are trained nurses. They both left the profession because of working conditions, not because of wages. Both earn less now than they could as nurses, but working conditions drove them away.
And, BTW, in both cases the problem was gov't legislation, not problems with the hospitals or doctors.
yes, well what did they leave the profession to do? Were they degreed nurses?
My salary tripled when I left, and the job paid the same salary to all qualified people, including the nurses. Thus a science in nursing degree is worth more outside patient care than in.
Hospitals no longer want to provide patient care. It is that simple. There is no money in it for them.
I agree with you entirely. I would make one addition: a large component in improvement in healthcare in the last 35 years is the tremendous improvement in nursing education. It is much more difficult to get a diploma/license than in the past. The more difficult, the less the pool of qualified applicants and the less graduates. I, of course, applaud the educational trend, but there are consequences.