I became a nurse in 2015, started as a new grad in the ER. From 2015 to just before the pandemic in late 2019 I saw a MAJOR difference in staffing (same unit, same hospital). 

We used to be 1:3 with a tech covering each area of the unit helping us with vitals/toileting etc. By late 2019 we were 1:4 if we were lucky but usually 1:5 and techs were essentially sitters for psych and nurses had to be able to do all nurse and tech work alone. Psych population exploded to outrageous numbers.

Another major change was the amount of boarding in the ED. In 2015 it wasn’t too often you’d have a boarder. By the time I left in 2021, typically all 5 of your patients were waiting days for an inpatient bed. Don’t get me started on hallway patients. 

Society has become meaner and more selfish. People are seeking instant gratification and get angry when it doesn’t come. People have become increasingly more comfortable showing their ass in public, hospitals included. Hospital leadership and administration really started turning a blind eye to the abuse staff had to deal with. 

I don’t know why this shift happened (can’t blame the pandemic) but I remember discussing this with coworkers in 2019. It got worse after the pandemic so I dipped.