NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NURSING PROFESSION ISSUES
What issues are affecting healthcare? How do these issues affect you, your practice, and/or your organization? How do these issues affect your patients?
Throughout this course you have identified and supported an advocacy priority, focusing specifically on how best to move the agenda forward. Now is your opportunity to explore a specific issue affecting the nursing profession in the United States and a global health issues.. Nurses hold a front row seat to what is happening in healthcare. Nurses can see what is working and what is not working in the field on a daily basis. While it can be easy to focus specifically on our own practice and organization, healthcare is a global practice. And considering the impact of global initiatives, policy issues affecting nurses on a global scale can help us to better understand, remedy, connect, and even prepare for current or potential national issues.
For this Discussion, consider what you have learned thus far about the political and social determinants of health and healthcare policy and advocacy. Identify a nursing issue that many impact you. What can be done about this issue? Who is impacted by this issue? How might policy remedy this issue?
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
Readings
· Dawes, D. E. (2020). The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press.
· Chapter 4, “How the Game is Played: Successful Employment of the Political Determinants of Health” (pp. 78–111)
· Porche, D. J. (2023). Health policy: Applications for nurses and other healthcare professionals (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
· Chapter 13, “Board Governance and Policy Leadership” (pp. 185–192)
· Chapter 14, “Institutional and Organizational/ Association Policy” (pp. 193–199)
· Chapter 17, “Policy Institutes” (pp. 255–264)
· American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. (2022). Advocacy and policyLinks to an external site. . https://www.aana.com/advocacy
· American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2022). AANP advocacy: Championing the NP role and amplifying the NP voiceLinks to an external site. . https://www.aanp.org/advocacy
· American Nurses Association. (2018). ANA advocacy toolkitLinks to an external site. . https://rnaction.org/SitePages/toolkit.aspx
· American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Nurses serving in congressLinks to an external site. . https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/federal/nurses-serving-in-congress/
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Policy, Performance, and Evaluation. (2021). Resources for writing briefsLinks to an external site. . https://www.cdc.gov/policy/polaris/training/writing-briefs/index.html
· IDRC. (n.d.). How to write a policy briefLinks to an external site. . https://idrc-crdi.ca/en/funding/resources-idrc-grantees/how-write-policy-brief
· International Council of Nurses. (n.d.). https://www.icn.ch/Links to an external site.
· International Council of Nurses. (2022). Nursing policyLinks to an external site. . https://www.icn.ch/nursing-policy
· National League for Nursing. (2022). Public policyLinks to an external site. . https://www.nln.org/public-policy
· National League for Nursing. (2022). Toolkit homeLinks to an external site. . https://www.nln.org/education/teaching-resources/professional-development-programsteaching-resources/toolkits
· Open Secrets. (2021). Health professionalsLinks to an external site. : Summary. https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=H01
· Pitsker, K. (2019, November 26). How to run for local office. KiplingerLinks to an external site. . https://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/t043-c000-s002-how-to-run-for-local-office.html
· She Should RunLinks to an external site.. (2020). https://sheshouldrun.org/Links to an external site. Note: Explore this site on the topic of “Running for Elected Office.” You will need to join (free) to access the self-quizzes and materials.
· United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainable development goals: 17 goals to transform our worldLinks to an external site. . https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
· Weakley, S., & Tarrega, M. (n.d.). How to write a policy briefLinks to an external site. . https://policyscotland.gla.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TSRFWritingaPolicyBrief.pdf
· Document: Global Issues Impacting Nursing Download Global Issues Impacting Nursing(PDF)
Media
· American Nurses Association. (2021, May 11). RNAction: When nurses speak, Washington listensLinks to an external site. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJD60OucJn0 Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 1 minute.
· Parks, M., & Weiner, C. (2019, October 19). How to run for officeLinks to an external site. [Multimedia]. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2019/10/15/770332855/how-to-run-for-office
To Prepare:
· Review resources about nursing profession issues in the United States. Look specifically at the NLN and ANA website resources.
· Review the global issues explored by the International Council of Nurses.
· Consider a nursing issue that may impact you.
· Consider what might be done about this issue.
By Day 3 of Week 8
Select a nursing profession issue happening in the United States or a global health issue.
Post a response detailing the following:
· Provide a clear and detailed description of the nursing profession issue.
· Explain how you might be impacted by this issue.
· Explore how this issue might be addressed and/or remedied through policy.
By Day 6 of Week 8
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts. Respond to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days by supporting or expanding on the ideas identified by your colleagues or sharing additional perspectives on the issue described by your colleagues.
RESPOND TO THE DISCUSSION POST
Keli Nata
National and Global Nursing Profession Issues
The nursing profession is confronting a significant crisis in the form of staffing shortages and retention challenges, which have profound implications for healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has declared this issue a global health emergency, recognizing its severe impact on healthcare systems worldwide. In the United States, emergency departments have been particularly affected by these challenges, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This discussion examines the nursing shortage crisis, its effects on my role as an emergency room nurse in Florida, its impact on patient care, and potential policy solutions to address the problem.
Description of the Nursing Profession Issue
Nursing shortages and retention challenges stem from a variety of factors, including increasing workloads, insufficient compensation, workplace violence, and limited professional development opportunities. These challenges are particularly pronounced in emergency departments, where unpredictable patient volumes and high-acuity cases contribute to heightened stress levels. Emergency departments are struggling to maintain safe staffing levels, which results in increased burnout and turnover rates among nurses (Hodgson et al., 2024). Emergency department nurses frequently leave their roles due to inadequate organizational support, emotional exhaustion, and physical demands (McIntyre et al., 2024).
Globally, the reliance on international nurse recruitment further complicates the issue. While cross-border mobility provides opportunities for individual nurses, it often depletes healthcare resources in low-income countries. The need for equitable international recruitment practices to prevent workforce imbalances and protect healthcare systems in source countries has been emphasized (International Council of Nurses, 2022).
Impact of the Issue on My Role
As an emergency room nurse in Florida, I experience firsthand the consequences of nursing shortages and retention issues. High patient-to-nurse ratios lead to increased workloads and reduced time for individualized patient care. This environment significantly heightens stress levels and the risk of burnout, which jeopardizes both nurse’s well-being and their ability to provide high-quality care. In emergency settings, delays in care caused by understaffing can have life-threatening consequences for patients. Additionally, the lack of adequate staffing resources strains teamwork and collaboration, further compounding the challenges faced by emergency department nurses.
The persistent demands of working in an understaffed emergency department also take a toll on mental health. Without sufficient organizational support, many nurses face difficulty managing the emotional and physical challenges of the job. Effective institutional policies are essential to support nurses in high-pressure environments, ensuring their well-being and retention (Porche, 2023).
Impact of the Issue on Patients
Nursing shortages profoundly affect patient outcomes. Longer wait times, reduced access to care, and compromised safety are direct consequences of inadequate staffing. In emergency departments, these delays can result in missed diagnoses, preventable complications, and increased mortality rates. Patients in high-stress situations also require emotional support, which is often unavailable due to the high demands on overworked nurses. Holistic care, including emotional and psychological support, is often sacrificed in understaffed environments, diminishing the overall quality of patient care (McIntyre et al., 2024).
The global nursing crisis contributes to health inequities. Low-income communities, which are disproportionately affected by nursing shortages, experience reduced access to essential healthcare services, further exacerbating disparities in health outcomes (International Council of Nurses, 2022).
Policy Solutions to Address Nursing Shortages
To address the crisis of nursing shortages and retention, several policy interventions are needed at both the national and global levels. Workforce development policies should prioritize increasing the supply of nurses by expanding educational opportunities. Scholarships, loan forgiveness programs, and other financial incentives can attract more individuals to the profession. Collaboration between healthcare organizations and educational institutions is critical to addressing faculty shortages and ensuring adequate training opportunities for future nurses (Porche, 2023).
Retention-focused policies are equally critical. Establishing safe staffing ratios through state or federal mandates can reduce workloads and improve job satisfaction. Providing competitive compensation, addressing workplace violence, and offering mental health resources can foster a supportive work environment. Organizational policies that prioritize nurse safety and well-being, particularly in emergency departments, are essential (Hodgson et al., 2024).
At the global level, strengthening the World Health Organization’s voluntary code on international nurse migration can help balance workforce mobility with the need to protect source countries’ healthcare systems. High-income nations must also prioritize building self-sufficient nursing workforces to reduce reliance on international recruitment, which often exacerbates shortages in lower-income countries (International Council of Nurses, 2022).
Emergency preparedness policies are essential for protecting nurses during public health crises. Including nurses in governance and planning for emergency responses can enhance workforce resilience and improve outcomes during future health emergencies (Dawes, 2020).
Conclusion
Nursing shortages and retention challenges are multifaceted issues with far-reaching consequences for healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and nurse well-being. As an emergency room nurse in Florida, I witness the daily strain these challenges place on both staff and patients. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach involving workforce development, retention strategies, global collaboration, and emergency preparedness policies. By prioritizing the well-being of nurses and the safety of patients, policymakers and healthcare organizations can create a sustainable nursing workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern healthcare systems.
References
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Nurses serving in Congress. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/federal/nurses-serving-in-congress/Links to an external site.
Dawes, D. E. (2020). The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Hodgson, N. R., Kwun, R., Gorbatkin, C., Davies, J., & Fisher, J. (2024). Emergency department responses to nursing shortages. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 17(1), 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00628-y
International Council of Nurses. (2022). Nursing policy. Retrieved from https://www.icn.ch/nursing-policyLinks to an external site.
McIntyre, N., Crilly, J., & Elder, E. (2024). Factors that contribute to turnover and retention amongst emergency department nurses: A scoping review. Journal of Emergency Nursing.
National League for Nursing. (2022). Public policy. Retrieved from https://www.nln.org/public-policyLinks to an external site.
Porche, D. J. (2023). Health policy: Applications for nurses and other healthcare professionals (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers
Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.
Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS
Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?
Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.
We write plagiarism Free Content
Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.
Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.
