Analysis of Pertinent Health Issues (Nurse Shortage Essay)

Analysis of Pertinent Health Issues (Nurse Shortage Essay)

The national healthcare problem chosen for examination is the shortage of nurses. As reported in the Nursing Times, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a need for over 275,000 additional nurses from 2020 to 2030. Furthermore, the employment prospects for nurses are anticipated to grow at a rate of 9%, surpassing the growth rate of all other occupations between 2016 and 2026 (Haddad et al., 2022). The shortage of nurses is a global concern, exacerbated by the aging of the baby boomer population, which will increase healthcare demands and further worsen the nursing deficit (Brown, 2015).

Nurses play a pivotal role in healthcare, constituting the largest segment of the health profession. However, the healthcare sector faces numerous challenges that affect job satisfaction among healthcare workers. These challenges include a shortage of educators, high turnover rates, unfavorable working conditions, inflexible workplace models, inequitable workforce distribution, and the impact of the pandemic, which has prompted some nurses to leave bedside nursing (Ryu & Shim, 2021). The shortage of healthcare staff results in increased workloads, leading to burnout among healthcare workers and adversely affecting their mental and physical well-being. This situation also elevates the risk of errors, reduces job satisfaction, and compromises patient safety and care quality. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections indicates that nursing will outpace the job growth of other professions from 2014 to 2024 (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2017).

In my organization, the nurse shortage crisis is evident, with colleagues frequently working overtime, dealing with understaffing, or constantly shifting between units. This shortage significantly impacts the healthcare system, as the nurse-to-patient ratio adversely affects the quality of care and patient outcomes. Understaffing leads to overworked staff, an unsafe work environment, and an increased likelihood of errors, resulting in additional costs for the hospital (Poghosyan, 2018).

According to Morris (2022), it is common for nurses to contemplate leaving the nursing profession due to issues such as short staffing, long working hours, and inadequate support from administration. Between February 2020 and September 2021, 18% of healthcare workers resigned, 12% were laid off, and 19% considered leaving their jobs (Morris, 2022). Nurse executives and colleagues can take several steps to improve nurse retention rates during the nursing shortage. These measures include reducing nurse burnout, increasing job satisfaction, and enhancing patient outcomes and care quality. Prioritizing the mental health and emotional well-being of nurses is essential to support both nurses and patient outcomes, especially during crises like the pandemic or persistent staffing shortages, which elevate the risk of low staff retention and high nurse burnout rates, leading to errors, increased morbidity, and mortality rates.

Nursing is a versatile profession offering various opportunities for nurses to utilize their skills within the healthcare sector. When organizations support career development through education and mentorship, they can retain more of their nursing staff. Mentors and career coaches provide a sense of belonging and help guide nurses toward growth opportunities within the organization. Implementing impactful training programs that address emotional well-being and mental health is crucial to strengthen nurses’ resilience and overall mental health. Such training can have a positive impact on healthcare, as it helps nurses provide care during challenging times. Some nurse leaders actively support nurses’ mental health in the workplace, and organizations must provide appropriate training for both new and experienced nurses to acquire new skills and grow within their roles.

According to Haddad et al. (2022), maintaining appropriate staffing levels can reduce errors, enhance patient satisfaction, and improve nurse retention. Achieving safe nurse-to-patient ratios is a significant challenge nurses face today. Increasing the time nurses spend with patients is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

The Case of Frank Mills has cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hyperlipidemia, prostate cancer, glaucoma, and recurring deep venous thrombophlebitis (DVT)

Medical errors are a significant concern, with nearly 250,000 deaths attributed to them each year, making medical errors the third leading cause of death in the U.S. (Johns Hopkins Medicine). Mandating national staffing ratios may not immediately resolve the nurse shortage issue, but it can positively impact patient care. Hospitals should adopt creative strategies to adequately staff units without compromising patient care. This approach would improve patient care while new nurses complete their programs. Empowering nurses, especially in decisions regarding staffing ratios, considering high patient volumes and acuity levels, can reduce burnout and the desire to leave the profession. Many organizations seek Magnet Certification to establish superior nursing processes and prioritize safety, quality, and patient satisfaction (Haddad et al., 2022).

Technology has played a significant role in nursing, particularly with the introduction of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), which have improved clinical efficiency, saved time, and allowed healthcare workers to spend more time with patients. Flexible work shifts, such as 12-hour shifts, can provide nurses with a better work-life balance, especially for those with families. Adequate compensation for nurses is essential, but it should be complemented by initiatives addressing their daily needs.

The strategies outlined in the articles mentioned above would have a substantial impact on my organization, reducing nurse turnover. Implementing technology like EHRs can enhance efficiency, while mandating specific staff-to-patient ratios would ensure optimal patient care. Listening to healthcare staff’s needs and creating a supportive work environment would boost job satisfaction. Advocating for staff and providing mentorship opportunities would increase retention and professional growth among nurses. Flexible work hours can help reduce burnout, and appropriate compensation, incentives, and bonuses can motivate staff. However, it is crucial to address the underlying issues nurses face to ensure long-term retention and job satisfaction.

 

References

Abduljawad,A & Al-Assaf, A  (2011). Incentives for better performance in healthcare. Retrieved on February 27, 2023, From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121024/

Al-Mugheed, K., Bayraktar, N., Al-Bsheish, M., AlSyouf, A., Jarrar, M., AlBaker, W., & Aldhmadi, B. (2022). Patient safety attitudes among doctors and nurses: Associations with workload, adverse events, experience. Retrieved on February 28, 2023, From https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35455809/

Broome, M., & Marshall, E. S. (2021). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer.

Haddad, L., Annamaraju, P., & Toney-Butler, T.J (2022). Nurse Shortage. Retrieved on March 11, 2023, From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/

Morris. G (2022). How to Support Nurses and Raise Nurse Retention Rates. Retrieved on March 11, 2023, From https://nursejournal.org/articles/how-to-support-nurses-considering-resigning/

Poghosyan, L., Norful, A., & Laugesen, M. (2018). Removing restrictions on nurse practitioners’ scope of practice in New York state: Physicians’ and nurse practitioners’ perspectivesLinks to an external site.. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 30(6), 354–360.

Ryu, I & Shim, J (2021). The Influence of Burnout on Patient Safety Management Activities of Shift Nurses: The Mediating Effect of Compassion Satisfaction. Retrieved on February 28, 2023, From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC862111 analysis of pertinent health issues (nurse shortage essay)