The nursing shortage is a pressing issue projected to worsen in the coming years mainly due to baby boomer retirement and health care provider burnout
The nursing shortage is a pressing issue projected to worsen in the coming years mainly due to baby boomer retirement and health care provider burnout. I can recall senior nurses’ plans on retirement from working in hospitals to work in real estate. The nursing shortage is a growing problem not just in the United States, but globally. As highlighted in a 2014 article in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, there’s a worldwide need for expert nursing care due to an aging population and increasing healthcare complexities and a 10 to 20 percent vacancy of nurses to provide total patient care by the year 2025 (Kleinpell, R et. al, 2014). This projection is likely to worsen, according to Health Resources and and Service Administration, we are projected to have an additional 203000 need of nurses by 2030 (Jessica, L. , 2023).
A diverse patient population requires culturally competent nurses who understand patients’ beliefs, values, and healthcare practices. The nursing shortage limits the ability to match nurses with patients who share similar backgrounds, potentially leading to miscommunication and mistrust. Encouraging nurses to pursue cultural competence can improve communication and care. This will foster a diverse nursing workforce and can ensure patients feel understood and respected.
Nurses play a crucial role in promoting preventive care and healthy lifestyles. With fewer nurses, there’s less time for patient education and personalized health coaching, potentially leading to poorer health outcomes. Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) can bridge this gap. They can manage chronic conditions, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications, freeing up time for registered nurses (RNs) to focus on preventative care and patient education.
Effective communication between nurses and patients is essential for quality care. The nursing shortage can lead to rushed interactions, hindering clear explanations of diagnoses, treatment plans, and potential side effects. Telemedicine tools and patient portals can facilitate communication, especially with patients from diverse backgrounds.
The nursing shortage creates a strong and costly demand for Advance Practice Nurses or FNPs. Research by Woo, B et. al. ‘s (2017) suggest that FNPs in emergency and critical care settings improves the length of stay, time to consultation/treatment, mortality, patient satisfaction, and cost savings. This can lead to increased career opportunities and potentially higher salaries for nurses with advanced degrees. However, the pressure to fill the gap can lead to burnout among FNPs. Workforce support and manageable workloads are crucial to retain this vital segment of the nursing profession.
In conclusion, the nursing shortage poses a significant challenge to healthcare delivery. However, advanced nursing practices offer promising solutions.
Lyons, J. (2023). Nursing shortage may be worse by state than projected, new analysis
shows. Nurse.org.
https://nurse.org/education/nursing-shortage-by-state-analysis/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20a%202022%20report,to%20provide%20all%20patient%20care.
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