Hello and welcome to TalknwithDeb. I am Deborah, and for the past 34 years, nursing has been my profession and my very identity. With a Master's degree in Nursing, my journey has seen me don the uniform of an Army nurse, collaborate with agencies, pioneer my ventures, and oscillate between management and hands-on bedside nursing.

This platform isn't just a discussion forum; it's an outcry for change, understanding, and respect.

From Passion to Advocacy

In my years of service, I have witnessed the evolution of the nursing landscape. Once rooted deeply in passion and commitment, our profession is now on the brink of an identity crisis. The distressing trend? Young nurses feel defeated, disillusioned, and ready to abandon ship at the first sign of rising tides. When I stepped into this world, turning back wasn't an option. We were there for our patients, offering them love, respect, and unwavering care.

Yet, our seasoned practitioners, today's pillars of healthcare, stand tired, undervalued, and often unappreciated.

Respect, Ratios, and Rights

While compensation remains a glaring issue, patient ratios and respect, or the lack thereof, loom equally significant. Why does a marketer, often working from the comfort of their homes, earn thrice as much? How can a Hospital CEO command salaries ranging from $7 to $13 million, distance from the challenges and risks at the frontlines?

This isn't an attack on other professions or a call to stir animosity. It's a plea for parity. For valuing the invaluable. It's a question - shouldn't respect include verbal gratitude and tangible measures like fair compensation? And after dedicating a lifetime to caring for others, shouldn't there be a secure retirement plan waiting, a small token of a grateful society?

Our Mission at TalknwithDeb

Here, we endeavor to:

  • Educate: Illuminate the often-overshadowed struggles of the nursing community.

  • Empower: Build a society where voices are heard, respected, and acted upon.

  • Elevate: Advocate for policies ensuring fair pay, optimal patient ratios, and respectful work environments.

Your Voice Matters

Whether you are a fellow nurse, a patient, or someone who acknowledges the immense contributions of our nursing community, I invite you to join this conversation. Let's work collectively to ensure that the profession gets its due respect in words and deeds.

Thank you for standing with TalknwithDeb. Let's redefine the narrative together.

Nursing started here, where will it go now?

Civil War (1861-1865)

  • Estimated that several thousand nurses served, though precise numbers are hard to pinpoint because many served informally or as volunteers.

  • Death toll is uncertain, but many died due to diseases and infections.

Nurses not only served but have also sacrificed.

Spanish-American War (1898)

  • Around 1,500 contract nurses served.

  • There were reports of deaths due to diseases like typhoid, but exact numbers are elusive.

World War I (1917-1918, U.S. involvement)

  • Over 21,000 Army nurses served.

  • 272 nurses died in service, most from the influenza epidemic.

World War II (1941-1945)

  • More than 59,000 U.S. Army nurses served.

  • 215 Army nurses died in combat or from disease.

  • 16 were killed as a result of enemy action.

Korean War (1950-1953)

  • Approximately 1,500 nurses served.

  • Data on deaths is not readily available, but conditions were incredibly challenging and dangerous.

Vietnam War (1964-1973, major U.S. involvement)

  • About 11,000 women served, of which approximately 90% were nurses.

  • Eight military nurses died in Vietnam; one was KIA.(Killed in action)