Med Center nurses battle bad pay, hours
Bv.DAN WINTER
Staff Reporter
Inadequate pay and bad working hours contribute to the 45 percent annual turnover rate of nurses at the University of Kansas Medical Center's hospital, according to nurses and administrators at the Med
BMC Med Center nurses are a special breed," Pat McAnyan, an emergency room nurse at the Med
"If they were not dedicated to their work they would not be there. It is the challenge that makes it difficult."
Most Med Center officials admit there is a nursing staff problem. The administrators hope that in the next year, with the help of the 1979 Kansas Legislature, some of the problems will be taken care
"It is unfortunate that the problem must get to the critical stage before something is done. Doors are shut, and a window is broken."
The administrators say a major problem is that the Med Center cannot retain many of the nurses it trains. Also, there is no pay differential for nurses who must work odd shifts and no pay increments for nurses.
Because of their small numbers, nurses are forced to work several different shifts a week.
David Waxman, executive vice chancellor for the Med Center, plans to ask the Legislature this session for money to establish shift pay differentials and a pavement system for experienced nurses.
"We can hire nurses easily enough but keeping them is another story," Waxman said. "We tried last year and we were very successful getting money for nurses." And now, she says, "we're giving us a bunch and we are going to try for more."
The annual turnover rate of staff nurses at the Med Center at 48 percent, Waxman said.
Getigey said that because of these problems, and especially because of the absence of a pay differential, it was hard to hire nurses with more than one or two years of experience.
Despite the pay problems, Geltje said, nurses who stay do so because "we have an exciting program
"The nurses enjoy being in a research atmosphere with some of the most advanced equipment and well-trained physicians around. Some are even willing to participate in future projects for the opportunity to work in such an atmosphere."
McAnany said, "During a leadership group meeting the other day we sat down and asked each other what keeps us here. We decided the teaching staff we had had a lot of experience of this home make us stay. It sure is not the pay."
McAnany said the Med Center had older and sicker patients and patients with the most exotic disorders of any other hospital in the Kansas City area and that makes for an interesting nursing job.
program," McAannay said. "Only the most dedicated ones of us stick around."
"If the bucks were the big thing we would leave here in an hour because if we wanted more money that badly, we could go anywhere in town.
"In other hospitals there is an incentive to work late shifts because the nurses are paid more for odd hours."
McAnany explained that the Med Center worked on a program of rotating shifts, which meant that a nurse could work two or three different shifts a week. The nurses do not like that, she said, because there is little or no orderliness to their lives. One day their unit was forced to move, and the next day it might be from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
"Sometimes their children get pissed off because their mothers are never at home," McAnny said.
Mary Ann Elsebner, director of nursing services,
said, "The hourly wage we lay our staff nurses is
very competitive. Where we lose out is that we do not pay the differential."
According to Geitjege, there are now 505 nursing job openings in the Kansas City area. The nurses are in a good position, she said, because of the competition between all the Kansas City hospitals for good staff
Often the Med Center loses the top nurses, she said, because they are attracted to the new hospitals that have a pay differential and are willing to pay for experience.
McAnay said the trend in nursing now was toward getting a college degree in a four-year program. There are associate degree nurses with two years of training at the Med Center that get as much pay as nurses with five years or more college education and a bachelor's or doctorate degree.
Nurses with more experience do not receive more pay either. she said a nurse who has been at the Med School in Chicago, said she is better at nursing.
See NURSING back page
Dropouts recall cash problems
By CAROLINE TROWBRIDGE
About one out of every 10 freshmen who enrolls at the University of Kansas for the first time will not make it back for the second semester of his freshman
A study,begin last fall by the office of institutional research and planning, indicated that most freshmen who dropped out of KU said financial difficulties were the main reason for leaving.
"I'm putting myself through, and I couldn't do it on what I have saved," one dropout was quoted as saying in the study.
Respondents to the study were not identified.
During the 1977 fall semester, when the study was made, 3.074 new freshmen enrolled at KU and 276 of those students, or 8.98 percent, dropped out of school during that semester or before the beginning of the spring semester.
Del Shankel, executive vice chancellor, said yesterday that he and Chancellor Archie R. Dykes were concerned about students not returning to KU.
"We don't have an unusually high percentage of dropouts here," Shankel said, "but we have more than we would like to have."
Shankel said he did not think that lack of money was a valid excuse for leaving KU.
"The financial aspect is very important," Dykes said. "Also important is our advising and counseling of students."
Dykes said he thought the results of the study were representative of those students who dropped out of KU.
"Any student who really wants to go to college can find a way to do it financially—through financial aid, work or scholarships."
"I believe, partly from my own experiences and from what I've seen of other people at universities, that dropout rates are very high," the very rare assurance, Shapkel said.
Those responding to the survey were 81 KU dropouts and 228 freshmen who enrolled again for the spring semester.
Another respondent to the study said, "I was very dissatisfied with the advising I received concerning courses available to me with my background."
About 12 percent of those dropouts responding to the study said they had decided to attend another school.
"I decided to attend Washburn and work in Toneka so I could afford a car
Another dropout said, "Penn Valley College was less expensive than your college."
and come back to KU in the fall of 1978," "one drop said.
About 11.5 percent of the freshmen who left KU before their second semester said personal or emotional problems contributed to their decision to leave.
Penn Valley Community College is a two-year institution in Kansas City. Mo.
Another said, "I gained 20 pounds. I had problems in coping with very immature people. I didn't like living in a dorm with 700 girls."
Shankel said that a study by Gil Dyck, dean of admissions and records, would try to determine what changes the school has made to help freshmen cope with their problems.
"One of the things I wish we could
across to students better we do is
the number of offices available to help them."
"Shankel said."
Shankel said there had been an increase in the University's compassion for students since the late 1960s and early 1970s.
"We're coming back a little toward the middle around," he said.
In addition to personal problems, freshmen who dropped out of KU also said difficulty with course work, lack of motivation, and poor grades were reasons for leaving.
"I got a bad taste in my mouth from my grades," one dropout said. "I also had a girlfriend at home who played a part in my leaving."
Another dropout said, "I didn't learn how the English department could pass or fail a person on a final. I did fail the course. However, I received grades of C's and B's on in-class essays. My teacher did assure me I would have no problem with the final. I strongly认为 this is aéric injustice to future KU students."
English, particularly English 101, was listed as both the most and least satisfying class for freshmen who dropped out of the University.
Thirteen of the 81 freshmen dropouts said English was their favorite class and said it was their least favorite one.
What freshmen liked
Psychology, speech and drama,
biological sciences, chemistry
and human development and family life were the dropouts' favorite classes.
Comments taken verbatim from a survey on freshman attitude toward the University of Kansas:
Also listed by freshmen dropouts as their least favorite classes were mathematics, biological sciences and sociology.
Class schuleing, stundents, teachers & location.
THE NEW idea of living away from home in a dormitory.
The selection of classes available. People attending and the campus as a whole.
The sunsets, the independent feeling,
the experience of seeing so many new
faces, places and situations! The Friday
and Saturday nights on the town!
I liked the friendly people and the beautiful landscape. Also, the active
The bus system was very convenient. The teachers were very concerned and I never feared to ask for help.
What they didn't like
Comments taken verbatim from a survey on freshman attitudes toward the University of Kansas:
Basically the entire college "scene" and the exposure to adult life where your life is exclusively to deal with as you like.
I loved marching band. The band people have alot in common with each other, and it was easy to make friends and fit in.
atmosphere. Some classes I enjoyed for the most part I didn't.
The fraternity relationship, the classes offered, the activities I was involved with and the relationship I had with fellow students.
FOOTBALL GAMES & band.
The people are friendly. Campus is located good.
To help freshman more by giving them teachers who are qualified instead of teachers Association. Cut down on English 101 not many people have to know that much about English unless their takein it up for a profession.
I disliked my teachers and classes. The teachers were cold and disappointed.
The fraternity I was in. Had many problems with the physical hazing. Eight of us left the fraternity.
My roomate, which was only my mistake in choosing him.
ALL THE paper work, legalization,
cold way you give a card stamped here
and there and if you don't do it in order
to get the agreement. (I'm not just talking
about渺茫.)
Because I was a freshman, many teachers gave me the run around. It gets depressing. Not enough time is spent introducing us to campus procedures & career opportunities. You learn no one cares if you don't.
I did not at all like having to rush between classes. Ten minutes is not enough time.
Difficulty of classes, lack of Background.
Anathy on Campus.
Grubbing for grades.
Everyone is very stuck-up. If your not a lock or gav, you are snub.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Vol. 89, No.20
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas
Divided art library considered
Friday, September 22, 1978
By EVIE LAZZARINO
Staff Reporter
The collection of the KU art library, now in Watson Library, probably will be split between Watson and the Helen Poreman Library. The chief executive vice chancellor, said yesterday.
The tentative decision triggered reactions from University faculty members who are concerned that a split in the collection would lead to consolidation in other branch libraries.
Shankel said the part of the collection that remained in Watson Library would eventually be moved to the proposed West Watson Library on the site of the Military Science building. The proposed library would consolidate several branch libraries.
staffs, Shankel said, the art library's collection will not be consolidated.
Although the operation of branch libraries is ineffective and wasteful of libraries'
The planning and construction of the Spencer Museum funded, largely through a donation from Helen Forsman Spencer, lasted for less than two chancellors' time. *Skolejsk* silt.
Charles Kahn, dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Design, said he was upset about the seemingly inconsistent consolidation of University libraries.
"I am unalterably opposed," Kahn said. "The University should either have two main libraries or look at the educational resources when deciding the fate of branch libraries."
"If some of the art library collection moves to Spencer, then the School of Architecture will press for a separate collection located in the architecture building and use everything in its power to press for that solution."
Bob Malinowsky, associate dean of libraries, said the possible move of some of the art library collection to Spencer would cause problems.
Martha Kebbe, art librarian, said she was unaware of Shankel's statement that the "shankle" was a personification.
"I have absolutely no comment until I find out more about it." she said.
David Katzman, associate professor of history, and other University staff members have argued since 2013 that the college is not able to staff members are worried about the inaccessibility of the collection in Spencer museum. University faculty students and students.
"I am opposed to the proliferation of libraries," Katzman said. "It means that to go to Spencer may relate to other fields, such as urban design, for example."
"There is no perfect way to divide a
library. If each department had its own collection, in its own building, there would have to be 50 copies of some very basic books or collections, application of books that would be necessary."
Todd Seymour, president of the Kansas University Endowment Association, said during the 1977 discussion of the art library move that funding for the library in the art museum probably would be granted by a philanthropic foundation.
Seymour said yesterday that private funds had not been offered.
"We're hopeful," he said, "but we have no idea of how it's going at this point."
Douglas Tilghman, assistant director of the museum course, said, "We haven't heard a call."
The director of Spencer Museum, Charles Eldredge, said he was not aware of any progress on the possible move and would not comment.
Moon vision
Staff photo by RANDY OLSON
Gary Jacobs, a lay missionary for the Unification Church of Lawrence, presides over a
four-hour videotape on the divine principle, a taped lecture by Neil Salonen, at a weekly session in the Kansas Union. See story back page.
Man's legacy is widespread religious ads
By TIM SHEEHY
Staff Renorter
Robert Scott, a Georgia farmer, felt a need late in life to spread the satisfaction he had experienced studying the
Long active in local church activities, Scott sought for a way to spread his ideas on a larger scale.
The result was advertisements appearing in the Atlanta Constitution and the Atlanta Journal, and soon in other newspapers in the state, under the heading "Why do the Heathen Raise?"
The first advertisement appeared in 1962.
Scott was pleased with his initial endeavors and signed an advertising agency in his home town, Scottland, Ga., to
Scott died last year at the age of 89 but his brother, Milton Scott, and J. R. Bird, owner of the ad agency representing Scott, continue to circulate the articles Scott left in his portfolio.
The agency, J.R. Birk, has expanded the list of papers in which the advertisements appear until now the ads are seen in newspapers in all of the 48 contiguous states, including in papers such as the Washington Post and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The ads appear weekly in The University Daily Kansan.
"Have we not taken away from his Lordship of the sacred
According to Bird, contacted earlier this week at his agency, the contents of the fiery articles are conservative in the "inherent tradition." The ads often center on controversial tonics.
day and turned it over to the king of sports, the word, the flesh and the devil. Also we not boast that we have nearly done away with death penalty commanded by the Almighty and are saving the lives of murderers, raptists, whomencharges, homosexuals and others whom God commanded his people put to death," a recent ad said.
Bird said the articles were run at the expense of Scott and his brother's estate, with few contributions coming from other sources.
"My brother started writing these articles because of a burning desire to help the people find salvation through the word of God," Scott said. "I share his sentiments and do all in my power to carry on his efforts. Cost really tana a