nursing shortage essay examples

Nursing Shortage

1 addressing global nursing shortages: causes, impacts, and solutions.

“Comparative Analysis of Nursing Shortage” by Lauren Littlejohn, Jacquelyn Campbell, and Janice Collins-McNeil The authors of the article provide a comparative analysis of the problem of nursing shortage in three countries around the world, including the United States, the Philippines, and South Africa. Moreover, they offer a logical background of the issue by indicating that […]

2 Tackling Nursing Shortage: Strategies for Workforce Retention & Patient Care

Challenges, Rewards, and Shortages Nursing is a profession that many aspire to pursue. Nurses are well-trained to take care of patients and offer advice to individuals on ways to keep fit. For an exceptional job in the nursing profession, nurses need to be ready to meet the numerous challenges that exist in the healthcare sector. […]

3 Strategies for EBP Amid Nursing Shortage in Hong Kong

Introduction The biggest challenge for Hong Kong’s health care system is to provide an efficient service for patients. On 20 January 2019, around one hundred members of the Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff gathered outside government headquarters to voice out the problems of critical manpower shortage and lack of ward space and resources. The […]

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4 Tackling Nursing Shortages: Challenges and Solutions

Introduction Over the years, it is possible many have heard the claims that the number of nurses available does not satisfy the required number of nurses for efficient operation. On the other hand, the reports do not add up as the number of nurses that graduate is at a high rate. However, from an article […]

5 The Nursing Shortage: Patient Care, Staffing, and New Nurse Transition

Central New Mexico Community College The topic of my choice that I have researched is the nursing shortage that I see during my clinical rotation. There are not always enough nurses on the floor for the acuity of patients who are admitted. The articles I reviewed give reasons on why the shortage exists, how it […]

6 Nursing Shortages: Strategies for Retention & Patient Care

Improving Nursing Retention With the constant shortage of nurses acknowledged, the staffing and retention of nurses continue to be an area of concern. In many hospital settings, improving nursing retention is a challenge and leaves most facilities short-handed. The goal is to keep nurses in the organization. Most nurses work twelve-hour shifts or longer, and […]

7 Navigating Nursing: Overcoming Challenges in the Face of a Nursing Shortage

Passion, Paths, and Specializations Ever since I was a little girl, I knew that someday I was going to be a nurse. I have always loved helping people and doing everything I possibly could to learn more to help people. When trying to decide what college was going to be right for me, I knew […]

Nursing Shortage: Solutions of the Problem

How it works

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Nursing Roles
• 3 Caregiver
• 7 Nursing Issue
• 8 Proposed Solution
• 9 Conclusion

Introduction

The field of nursing holds multiple roles and responsibilities that lead individuals into different aspects of the career field. Many of the roles that a nurse plays a part in are caregiver, manager, educator, advocate, and more. The down side to working in healthcare is the multitude of issues that people have to deal with, such as staff shortages, needle stick incidents, and HIPPA violations. After years of research, individuals have begun developing possible solutions to several of the major nursing issues that every nurse deals with on a daily basis.

Nursing Roles

A nurse is not defined by just one role, but by several specific roles and responsibilities. There is a long list of roles that the nurse plays a part in during their daily work routine. Caregiver, manager, educator, and advocate are just some of the major roles that are easily recognized by other individuals, such as patients and other healthcare professionals. There are several tasks that are involved in the nursing roles that can be delegated to other health care professionals. These individuals consist of LPNs and UAPs. UAP stands for an unlicensed assistive personnel, and LPN is the abbreviation for licensed practical nurse. Due to having less education than RNs, LPNs and UAPs are restricted to specific tasks compared to the wide ability of a registered nurse. All of the nursing roles are combined together and performed to benefit the patient in every way possible.

The role of a caregiver is not limited to one task, but a multitude of duties. The nurses responsibilities as a caregiver are care provider, comforter, healer, helper, nurturer, rehabilitator, and support agent (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 138). As a care provider, the RN assist the individual with activities of daily living, medication administration, ambulation, and more. The RN provides comfort to the patient during the times of good news, as well as the heartache of bad. The registered nurse comforts the family just as often as they do with the patient. As a healer and nurturer, the nurse administrates treatments to help the individual become healthy before being discharged. The role of support agent is observed in a nurse when they help a patient make a decision and they support the individual’s choice, even if they do not agree that it is the right one. Therefore, a caregiver is one of the most important and essential roles in nursing.

As a licensed practical nurse or an unlicensed assistive personnel, the role of a caregiver is slightly different compared to a registered nurse. The LPN is still able to provide medication administration, where as an UAP is not. The UAP is restricted to activities of daily living, ambulation, gathering information (intake and output, vital signs), feeding, and documenting all the care that they provide (Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, 2016). In most hospitals, nurses usually have their RN or even higher educational status. In rare occasions, LPNs may work in a hospital setting, but most of the time they work in nursing homes, schools, doctors’ offices, and home health care. In the case of a licensed practical nurse working in a hospital, they are able to provide the same care as a registered nurse except for tasks that involve extensive intravenous care. These tasks include: starting or discontinuing IV catheters or fluids, critical medications that are related to the heart or blood pressure, administrating IV push medications, or care of central IV lines (Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), 2019). Compared to a registered nurse, LPNs and UAPs provide care that is just as important as the larger tasks that RNs provide on a daily basis.

The second role that is important when it come to taking care of patients is managing the situation at hand. As a manager, the nurse plays an important role in leading, planning, coordinating, initiating, evaluating, and making decisions regarding to the patients and staff (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 138). As the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale believed that a nurse being able to manage in such a role was an important part of nursing (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 141). In the role of manager, RNs need to be able to organize the care provided to the patient so other health care professionals would be able to carry on the care without the presence of the other nurse (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 141). The term manager was not established for this role until the late 1970s. The role was first named as charge nurse, supervisor, and coordinator. The responsibilities of the nurse as a manager are being responsible and supervising the staff members and the care they provide, enforcing agency policies, developing improvements in patient care, motivating staff, solving problems, and providing staff and patients with effective resources (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 141). Depending on the facility, the nurse’s role as a manager becomes less hands on and more behind the scenes compared to the other important roles of nursing.

The manager role is one that is typically given to a registered nurse or an individual with higher education. In the hospital setting, LPNs and UAPs are not qualified as a manager, where as in the case of the nursing home setting, LPNs have the ability to hold the position of manager or leader of a specific unit. In these setting, LPNs are able to plan care for patients, manage their health status, provide physicians with information, as well as receive information about the patient from the doctor (Working as a Licensed, 2019). Though in hospitals, licensed practical nurses are unable to take verbal or phone orders from physicians (Working as a Licensed, 2019). Unlicensed assistive personnel are never seen in this position due to not having education as a nurse. Therefore, the role as a manager throughout most health care setting is given to individuals who are known as RNs.

An important role in providing care for a patient is for the nurse to be able to educate the individual. As an educator, the RN has duties to educate the patient, the patient’s family, as well as other staff members (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 138) . The educator role is also seen as a counselor and community teacher. The registered nurse is responsible for educating the patient regarding the specific condition diagnosed, prescribed therapy, and the choice for a successful outcome (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 138). Educating the individual on information regarding their health can help decrease the patient’s anxiety. A major role as an educator is helping the patient understand what information is needed to make a critical decision regarding the right treatment for their health. Before an individual is discharged from the hospital, the nurse is obligated to educate the patient on all the information needed after leaving the unit, such as restrictions, diets, or follow-up appointments. The role as an educator is important because if the patients were not educated properly, then they would not have the knowledge to make adequate decisions regarding their health.

When educating an individual pertaining to an important decision or making sure they understand the discharge plan that was put into place, in hospital setting an individual who is typically a registered nurse is put into that role. UAPs are never placed in the role of an educator due to not having graduated with the education that a registered nurse has. LPNs on the other hand are able to perform this role in certain health care settings. The major health care setting where licensed practical nurses are seen as educators are in nursing home facilities. They educate patients on the proper ways of performing certain tasks (bathing, dressing), making choices regarding treatment, and educating staff on proper techniques when assisting patients (Working as a Licensed, 2019). The educator role is important to help patient’s perform activities and make choices on their own, no matter who the educator is.

The role as an advocate is one of the most important in the field of nursing. As advocates, nurses are responsible for learning important information regarding their patients, interpreting information to their patients and family members, and acting as protectors and risk takers (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 139). In the textbook, Nursing Today: Transitions and Trends, Joann Zerwekh defines an advocate as “one who pleads a cause before another.” The role of an advocate begins whenever the nurse takes on the role as the patient’s nurse. In the 1900s, three nurse leaders, advocated for patients when individuals who were unqualified as nurses were trying to care for the ill. The state nursing board has advocated for the community when they decided that all practicing nurses have to take a written exam known as the NCLEX to measure their knowledge pertaining to nursing. These laws have protected patients from being cared for by incompetent individuals. Nurses have worked as advocates in multiple settings such as factories, communities, hospitals, nursing homes, and several other facilities. In today’s settings, nurses have become crucial advocates in protecting patients from harm in cases where they are unable to protect themselves, such as comatose or paralyzed individuals. These responsibilities eventually expanded to include speaking for individuals who were unable to speak for themselves (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 1140). Nurses are stepping into roles such as mediators between patients, physicians, and institutions. RNs are able to question doctors’ orders, promote patient comfort and support patient decisions regarding healthcare choices (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2015, pg. 140). Nurses playing the role of advocators has protected the lives of thousands of people and counting.

As an RN, the advocate role is performed every day. They are able to perform certain tasks that relate to this role, unlike UAPs and LPNs. Even though, LPNs and UAPs are not the direct source that is questioning a task or decisions, they are still advocating for that individual by discussing it with a registered nurse or a supervisor. The role of an advocate is being performed by other health care professionals every time they come in contact with a patient.

Nursing Issue

Today nationwide, the shortage of nurses is the most common problem affecting the healthcare system. Nurses are considered one of the most significant roles in healthcare and the career makes up the largest proportion (De Alwis & Kumari, 2015). By 2022, the United States is predicted to have a shortage of over 1 million nurses (Zolot, 2017). The nursing shortage has become an issue to where there is a large demand of patients needing care and a small supply of nurses to provide the adequate care needed.

One of the problems that is causing such a large nursing shortage is the shortage of nursing faculty at universities. Approximately, 76,000 students were denied admission to nursing programs due to the lack of faculty and clinical resources (Emerson, 2015). In 2010, a total of 880 faculty vacancies were cited (Emerson, 2015). Researchers have stated that the reasons for these issues are mainly because of degree requirements, demands of academic setting, retirement age, workload, and salary (Emerson, 2015). Universities are requiring their nursing program staff to receive more education and higher degree requirements which is decreasing the individuals who are willing to teach. The demand of the teaching setting is increasing the instructors workload and stress due to the individuals not having experience in the field of education and are becoming overwhelmed. The retirement age for nursing instructors is decreasing as the years go by. The average retirement age for instructors has reached 55.2 years of age (Emerson, 2015). The biggest issue with a shortage of instructors is the salary comparison between nursing instructors and working nurses. Nurses working at health care facilities, such as hospitals, are making 25-50% more salary than individuals working as nursing instructors (Emerson, 2015). As a whole, the shortage of faculty is playing a large role in the issue with the nursing shortages.

In the field of nursing, the increase in workload is effecting the shortage of nurses. Studies have shown that there is a positive relationship between the nursing shortage and workload (De Alwis & Kumari, 2015). This relationship is effecting the quality of care that patients are receiving from the assigned nurse. As the nurse’s workload is increasing, nurses are starting to increase their tolerance to control emotional stress while performing their duties and responsibilities. With the workload rising, nurses are becoming burnt out and the turnover rate is increasing at an annual rate of 56.2% (Richardson, 2018). Facilities are requiring nurses to work long, stretched shifts which is adding to the revolving issue of shortage.

With the older population of nurses reaching retirement age, more nursing positions are needing to be filled. The baby boomer generation is increasing the shortage because of retirement, aging, and experiencing age-related illness that keep them from working (Richardson, 2018). As the population ages, there becomes an increased demand of health services which increases the need for nurses.

Proposed Solution

Nursing shortages have increased over the last couple decades and are going to keep increasing until a solution is developed. Hospitals are working alongside universities to encourage and increase the ability for individuals to attend colleges for nursing. One solution to the issue of nursing shortages would be to minimize financial barriers when apply for college. Research has show that finances are the number one issue that is holding back students from getting a bachelor’s of science nursing (BSN) degree (Zolot, 2017). Colleges such as Cleveland State University (CSU), are providing opportunities for evening and weekend BSN programs (Zolot, 2017). These programs are admitting 64 students annually. Along with the college, university hospital systems are offering 20 of those 64 students with a $12,000 tuition contract as long as the individuals work for the hospital for two years (Zolot, 2017). The solution to one of the problems is to give the students an incentive to start the program and finish.

As the workload and turnover rates are increasing, the incentive for nurses to work should be too. Facilities need to improve benefits, offer flexible work hours, implement career ladder, and offer better pay (Richardson, 2018). Programs such as the transition to practice program should be implemented for new graduate nurses (Africa, 2017). The components of the program are communication, preceptoring, mentoring, time management, and outcomes (Africa, 2017). Programs similar to this would help build the new nurse’s confidence and decrease the chances of them becoming overwhelmed and quitting.

The field of nursing has more roles and responsibilities than what can be discussed. Nurses play a part in a patient’s every day routine when in their care. As nurses do their duty, there are issues in the field that are being solved on a day to day basis. Nursing shortage is just one of many issues in the career of a nurse.?

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What’s Really Behind the Nursing Shortage? 1,500 Nurses Share Their Stories

• Survey Results
• What Is the Nursing Shortage?
• Reasons Nurses Quit
• Hope For the Future
• What Nurses Need Now
• How to Take Action

Winner of the Gold Award for the Digital Health Awards, Best Media/Publications Article, Spring 2022

Update 10/10/2022

The findings of  Nurse.org's 2021 State of Nursing Survey revealed some harsh truths about the profession but also spoke to the strength, perseverance, and passion that nurses have for their work. Nurse.org has relaunched the State of Nursing survey in 2022 with the aim to capture a complete picture of the true state of the profession - from how nurses feel about work, how nurses are being treated, how nurses feel about the future of nursing, nurse's mental wellbeing and what nurses think needs to change within the profession. Take the survey now (it takes less than 10 minutes.)

>> Take Nurse.org's NEW 2022 "State of Nursing Survey" and let your voice be heard about issues in nursing that matter most. 

January 26, 2022

If the past two years have taught the world anything, it's that nurses are NOT okay. The truth is that despite the 7 pm cheers, the commercials thanking nurses for their dedication and selflessness, and the free food from major retailers – the overwhelming majority of nurses are burnt out, underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated.  

With millions of nurses worldwide, Nurse.org wanted to truly understand the current state of nursing and give nurses a voice to share their thoughts, feelings, and apprehensions about the nursing profession. We surveyed nearly 1,500 nurses to find out how they felt about the past year and get to the real reasons behind the nursing shortage . The responses were heartbreaking, but not without hope.  

What We Found: Nurses Are Struggling

Nurses are struggling. Regardless of practice specialty, age, or state of practice – the answers were all the same. Nurses, NPs, and APRNs are all struggling and need help.  

Only 12% of the nurses surveyed are happy where they are and interestingly, 36% would like to stay in their current positions but changes would need to be made for that to happen. Nurses report wanting safe staffing, safer patient ratio assignments, and increased pay in order to stay in their current roles.  

Nurses didn’t hold back when discussing their feelings regarding the current state of nursing:  

• 87% feel burnt out 
• 84% are frustrated with administrators 
• 84% feel they are underpaid 
• 83% feel their mental health has suffered 
• 77% feel unsupported at work 
• 61% feel unappreciated 
• 60% have felt uncomfortable having to work outside of their comfort zone in the past year 
• 58% of nurses have felt frustrated with their patients 
• 58% of nurses have felt unsafe at work in the past year 

The numbers don’t lie. It’s astounding that a profession continually recognized for its compassion, strength, and resilience is suffering . And the suffering is universal.  

One nurse responded with the following, “I have been an RN for 34 years and in my specialty of nursing for 31 years and I am burned out.” 

What Is the Nursing Shortage and Why is it Happening?

You’ve likely heard about the nursing shortage, but what does that mean and why is it happening? 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030.  Approximately 194,500 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. However, this number was projected prior to the pandemic, and before the mass exodus of bedside clinical nurses. As a result, it’s likely substantially lower than what the real demand for nurses will look like.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) reports that the increased need for nurses spans beyond the current pandemic. In fact, they sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on September 1, 2021, urging the country to declare the current and unsustainable nurse staffing shortage to be a national crisis. 

The ANA attributes the needs for thousands of nurses to the following:  

• The Affordable Care Act made access to health care services possible for more people
• Increased focus “primary care, prevention, wellness, and chronic disease management” 
• Aging baby-boomer population
• Growing interest in community-based care

Why Are Nurses Really Leaving The Bedside? 

However, those stats don’t address some of the systemic issues nurses face every day, particularly in the midst of a pandemic. That’s why we asked nurses why they are really leaving the bedside.

What we heard is that, overwhelmingly, the number one reason nurses want to leave the bedside is because of unsafe staffing ratios. This leads to a never-ending cycle of shortages: nurses face unsafe staffing ratios so they decide to leave the bedside, this results in even fewer nurses available to care for patients, so the downward cycle continues.

Essentially, nurses are dealing with an increased workload with fewer resources. Typically, pre-covid ICU nurses would experience a 1:1 or 2:1 patient-to-nurse ratio. Now ICU nurses throughout the country are experiencing a 3:1 or 4:1 patient-to-nurse ratio which exacerbates staff burnout and unsafe nursing practices.  

One nurse reported, “With increased patient census, staffing ratios are very unsafe especially with high acuity patients. Having 4+ critically ill patients not only puts licenses at risk but the patients do not benefit at all. We’re just running around doing tasks, not providing adequate care.”

Unsafe Staffing Ratios Are Just Part of the Problem

While a big piece of the puzzle, unsafe staffing issues are, unfortunately, one part of a long list of issues plaguing nurses today. 

 Nurses are leaving the bedside because of issues like: 

• Inadequate staffing ratios 
• Not getting equal pay for equal experience 
• Not receiving hazard pay during a pandemic 
• Not having adequate back up 
• An inability to take breaks, sick days, or even turn down extra shifts 

To learn more about the nursing shortage and learn ways you can get involved, check out the full report here . 

Despite All This, Nurses Still Have Hope

70% of nurses still think that nursing is a great career and 64% still think that new nurses should join the profession. 

“If you’re a student considering becoming a nurse, please know that you are not walking into a doomed profession. You will never meet anyone who is more determined, more resourceful, or more ready to jump in and lend a helping hand than a nurse." 

--– Nurse Alice Benjamin, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, FNP-C, CCRN, CEN, CV-BC, Chief Nursing Officer and Correspondent at Nurse.org

If you’re a nurse, you know that nursing isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling. It’s devastating to see that so many nurses are suffering in their quest to heal and give care, but it’s heartening to know they are not without hope. 

What Nurses Need Now 

If you’re a nurse, know that your job is simply to put yourself first. If we want to solve the nursing shortage (and we do!), it can't happen without nurses recognizing that they are NOT the problem. 

"The problem is not with nurses or nursing; the problem is that nurses have been so busy taking care of others that no one has taken care of them. And we’re here to change that--and by entering the nursing profession, you will be part of the solution too”

 – Nurse Alice Benjamin, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, FNP-C, CCRN, CEN, CV-BC, Chief Nursing Officer and Correspondent at Nurse.org 

The truth is nurses need a lot more to be incentivized to stay practicing clinically at the bedside. Nurses reported needing:  

• Higher pay 
• Safe nurse-to-patient ratios 
• Hazard pay 
• REAL mental health resources 
• Adequate staff support 
• Support programs for new nurses

4 Ways to Support Nurses and Take Action

While we may not be able to make this change at an individual level, collectively, we can amplify the voice of nurses and shed some light on the issues that they are facing every day. Together, we have the power to create meaningful, lasting change for current and future nurses.  Here's how to get involved: 

1. Sign the Pledge

Sign the pledge seen below and encourage your friends & colleagues to do the same. While you’re at it, print it out and post it in your break room. 

2. Spread the Word 

Change can’t happen unless we get the word out about what’s really going on. Share what you’ve heard and what you’ve experienced, and encourage others to do the same. 

3. Contact Your Elected Officials 

It’s time for elected officials to stand up for nurses. Write them a letter. Call their office. Demand change for nurses. Click here to get the contact information for your local and state Officials. 

4. Download and Share the Report

Get even more in-depth insights into what’s going on with the state of nursing and the issues that nurses face today, click here to download the full State of Nursing report or read about the best and worst specialties for nurses during COVID . 

“If you are a current nurse considering leaving the profession, be assured that you are not alone in your struggles. If all you’ve had the energy for is keeping your head down and getting through your shifts, sleeping, and getting up to do it all over again, know that you are doing enough. It’s not your responsibility to solve the nursing shortage.” 

– Nurse Alice Benjamin, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, FNP-C, CCRN, CEN, CV-BC, Chief Nursing Officer and Correspondent at Nurse.org 

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Kathleen Gaines (nee Colduvell) is a nationally published writer turned Pediatric ICU nurse from Philadelphia with over 13 years of ICU experience. She has an extensive ICU background having formerly worked in the CICU and NICU at several major hospitals in the Philadelphia region. After earning her MSN in Education from Loyola University of New Orleans, she currently also teaches for several prominent Universities making sure the next generation is ready for the bedside. As a certified breastfeeding counselor and trauma certified nurse, she is always ready for the next nursing challenge.

Plus, get exclusive access to discounts for nurses, stay informed on the latest nurse news, and learn how to take the next steps in your career.

By clicking “Join Now”, you agree to receive email newsletters and special offers from Nurse.org. We will not sell or distribute your email address to any third party, and you may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email.

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Guest Essay

Nurses Deserve Better. So Do Their Patients.

By Linda H. Aiken

Dr. Aiken is a professor of nursing and sociology and the founding director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed strengths in the nation’s health care system — one of the greatest being our awesome nurses. But it also exposed many weaknesses, foremost among them being chronic nurse understaffing in hospitals , nursing homes and schools .

More nurses died of job-related Covid than any other type of health care worker. The more than 1,140 U.S. nurses who lost their lives in the first year of the pandemic knew the risks to themselves and their families. And yet they stayed in harm’s way. They cared for their fallen co-workers. They went to New York from around the country to fight on the front lines in the first Covid surge. Nurses from Northwell Health in New York returned that support by deploying to the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit in December when a surge occurred there.

We celebrate nurses now. We call them heroes. But if we value their sacrifices and want them to be there when we need them, we must prevent a return to the poor prepandemic working conditions that led to high nurse burnout and turnover rates even before Covid.

As a nurse with extensive clinical experience in hospitals, I found it nearly impossible to guarantee safe, effective and humane care to my patients. And so I established the world’s leading research center on nursing outcomes to understand the causes of nurse understaffing in the United States and abroad and to find solutions to the problem.

The United States has a robust supply of nurses . And there is no evidence that recruits to nursing have been deterred by Covid. To the contrary, applications to nursing schools increased during the pandemic.

Death, Through a Nurse’s Eyes

A short film offering a firsthand perspective of the brutality of the pandemic inside a covid-19 i.c.u..

I was looking through the window of a Covid I.C.U. And that’s when I realized I might see someone die. I didn’t even know who she was. But I was filled with immense grief as she edged closer to death by the hour. What I didn’t know yet was that by the time I left just two days later, at least three patients would be dead. The vaccine offers hope, but the sad truth is that the virus continues its brutal slaughter in I.C.U.s like this one in Phoenix, Ariz. The only people allowed in are health care workers. They’re overworked and underpaid in a deluged hospital. I wanted to know what it is like for them now, after a year of witnessing so much death. Eager to show us their daily reality, two nurses wore cameras so that for the first time we could see the I.C.U. through their eyes. “Unless you’re actually in there, you have no idea. Nobody can ever even imagine what goes on in there.” [MUSIC PLAYING] This I.C.U. contains 11 of the hospital’s sickest Covid patients. Most of them are in their 40s and 50s. And they are all on death’s door. It’s an incredibly depressing place. I blurred the patients faces to protect their privacy. But I also worried that blurring would rob them of their humanity. The family of this patient, the one who is rapidly declining, allowed her face to be shown. And they readily told me about her. Her name is Ana Maria Aragon. She’s a school administrator and a 65-year-old grandmother. Sara Reynolds, the nurse in charge of this I.C.U., organized a video call with Ana’s family to give them a chance to be with her just in case she didn’t make it. “It just breaks my heart when I hear families saying goodbye.” You might expect the doctors to be running the show. But it is really the nurses who are providing the vast majority of the care. “We do everything. We give them baths every night.” “Rubbing lotion on their feet.” “Shave the guys’ faces.” “Cleaning somebody up that had a bowel movement. It doesn’t even register as something gross.” “Look, I walk into the room. I say, hey, sounds like you have Covid. And I might order a chest X-ray. I might order blood work. I might order catheters. All that stuff is done by the nurse. I may have spent 10 minutes. The nurse might spend seven or eight hours actually in the room, caring for them. Let’s say there was a day that nurses didn’t come to the hospital. It’s like, why are you even opening?” “Ibuprofen.” 12-hour-plus shifts, isolated in this windowless room, these nurses survive by taking care of each other. “Aww, thank you.” And by finding small doses of levity. [MUSIC - JAMES BAY, “LET IT GO”] “(SINGING) Wrong. Breeze.” “I’m getting older now, and there’s all these new young nurses coming out. And I feel like a mom to all of them. Morgan, she’s got big aspirations. She loves to snowboard, and she’s so smart. And Deb, Deb’s just— she’s funny.” “I tease her all the time. I can tell her to do anything, and she’ll just do it because I think she’s scared of me because I just always say, make sure you have no wrinkles in those sheets.” The patients spend most of their time on their stomachs because it makes it easier to breathe. But the nurses have to turn them often to prevent pressure sores. There was one woman in her 50s who was so critical that this simple procedure risked killing her. “Even just turning them on their side, their blood pressure will drop. Their oxygen levels will drop.” “Her heart had actually stopped the day before. And so the concern was if it was going to make her heart stop again.” “Then come over. Push.” “We were all watching the monitors.” “I felt relieved like, whew, we did it.” Arizona’s a notoriously anti-mask state. And it faced a huge post-holiday surge in Covid cases. In January, the month I was there, Arizona had the highest rate of Covid in the world. As a result, I.C.U.s like this one have too many patients and not enough nurses. “Because they’re so critical, they need continuous monitoring, sometimes just one nurse to one patient with normally what we have is two patients to one nurse. But there definitely are times when we’re super stretched and have to have a three-to-one assignment.” A nurse shortage has plagued hospitals over the past year. To help, traveler nurses have had to fly into hotspots. Others have been forced out of retirement. Especially strained are poorer hospitals like Valleywise, which serves a low-income, predominantly Latino community. “Many of our patients are uninsured. Some of them have Medicaid, which pays something but unfortunately not enough.” This means they simply can’t compete with wealthier hospitals for nurses. “There is a bidding war. The average nurse here, give or take, makes about $35 an hour. Other hospitals, a short mile or two away, might pay them $100.” “We lost a lot of staff because they took the travel contracts. How can you blame them? It’s sometimes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a lot of money.” “Every single day I’m off, I get a call or a text. ‘Hey, we desperately need help. We need nurses. Can you come in?’” This nursing shortage isn’t just about numbers. “Physically it’s exhausting. We’re just running. We don’t have time to eat or drink or use the restroom.” “They have kids at home, doing online school. And I think, gosh, they haven’t even been able to check on their kids to see how they’re doing.” “My days off, I spend sleeping half the day because you’re exhausted. And eating because we don’t get to eat here often.” Nurses have been proud to be ranked the most trusted profession in America for nearly two decades. But during Covid, many worry they aren’t able to uphold the standards that earned them such respect. “I can’t give the quality of care that I normally would give.” “It’s absolutely dangerous.” “That’s demoralizing because we care. We’re nurses. It’s our DNA.” Ana had been in the hospital for over a month. Her family told me she was born in Mexico. She came to the States 34 years ago, first working in the fields before eventually landing her dream job in education. She’s beloved at her school. Former students often stop her in town and excitedly shout, Miss Anita. She was very cautious about Covid. She demanded her family always wear a mask and yelled at them to stay home. Yet, tragically, she somehow still caught it. “She had been declining over the course of several days. It’s a picture we have seen far too often that we know, this one is going to be coming soon.” Because there is no cure for Covid, the staff can only do so much. Once all the ventilator settings and the medications are maxed out, keeping a patient alive will only do more harm than good. So Ana’s family was forced to make a tough decision. “And I talked to family and let them know that we have offered her, we have given, we have done everything that we can, there’s nothing more that we can do. The family made the decision to move to comfort care.” “If I’m there while someone’s passing, I always hold their hand. I don’t want somebody to die alone. That’s something that brings me peace.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Dance floor is packed. People hugging, holding hands, and almost no one wearing a face mask.” “I think like many health care workers, I’m angry a lot. And my faith in humanity has dwindled.” “How can you think this isn’t a real thing? How can you think that it’s not a big deal?” “Free your face. Free your face.” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has advocated for personal responsibility over mask mandates even though he’s been photographed maskless at a gathering and his son posted a video of a crowded dance party. “Even on the outside, they go, I don’t care. I’m not wearing a mask. I’m not getting the vaccine. That’s bullshit. The second they come into the hospital, they want to be saved. Never do they say, ‘I made the decision. I’m accepting this. Don’t do anything, doctor.’” Half a million people in this country have died from Covid. Many have been in I.C.U.s with nurses, not family members holding patients’ hands. “I always wonder, are they still going to be there when I get to work? It’s on my mind when I get home. Are they going to make it through the night? There’s one that I can think of right now.” One patient in his late 50s was so critical that he required constant supervision. Each of his breaths looked painful. “There was one day that he was kind of— he was looking a little bit better. And so he was able to shake his head and smile. And we set up a video call for him. And it was just the sweetest thing ever. I could hear his little grandson— he was probably 4 years old or so. And I saw him on the screen, too. And he was just jumping up and down, so excited. ‘You’re doing it, Grandpa. You’re doing it. We love you. Look at you. You’re getting better.’ It just broke my heart. It broke my heart. He’s one that I don’t think is going to be there when I get back on Sunday.” But I’d already been told something Sara hadn’t. The patient’s family had decided to take him off life support. “Yesterday they did? Oh. And I just think of his little grandson. And ‘you’re doing it, Grandpa. You’re doing it.’” He wasn’t the only patient who didn’t make it. When I went back to the hospital, I noticed that the bed of the patient I’d seen get flipped over was empty. My heart sank. I knew this meant she’d passed away. “What’s sad is when I go back, those beds will be full. They’ll have somebody else there just as sick with another long stretch of a few weeks ahead of them before it’s time for their family to make that decision.” I’d never before seen someone die. And even though I didn’t know these people, witnessing their deaths left me sleepless, exhausted, and depressed. It’s unfathomable to me that these nurses have gone through that every single week, sometimes every single day for an entire year. I assumed the nurses must block out all the deaths to be able to keep going, but they don’t. They grieve every single one. “I’ve always loved being a nurse. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. And these last couple months, it’s definitely made me question my career choice.” And what makes their situation so tragic is that many of these nurses hide their trauma, leaving them feeling isolated and alone. “We’re the only ones that know what we’re going through. I don’t really want to tell my family about everything because I don’t want them to feel the same emotions that I feel. I don’t want them to know that I carry that burden when it— that it is a lot. I’m Mom. I’m strong. I can do anything. And I don’t want them to see that.” Leadership in the pandemic hasn’t come from elected officials or spiritual guides but from a group that is underpaid, overworked and considered secondary, even in their own workplaces. As so many others have dropped the ball, nurses have worked tirelessly out of the spotlight to save lives, often showing more concern for their patients than for themselves. I worry their trauma will persist long after we re-emerge from hibernation. Covid’s legacy will include a mass PTSD on a scale not felt since World War II. This burden should not be ignored. “Thank you. Thank you. I feel, yeah. And you’re all amazing.” [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Nursing Shortage Essays (Examples)

Current Issue In Nursing Nursing Shortage

Nurse staffing crisis. (2019). Nursing World. Retrieved from:   https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nurse-staffing/nurse-staffing-crisis/

Shortages Of Health Care Providers

IOM. (2010). The future of nursing. Retrieved from   http://nacns.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/5-IOM-Report.pdf  " target="_blank" REL="NOFOLLOW">

Evolving Practice Of Nursing And Patient Care Delivery Models

Healthcare provider shortage, developing organizational practices and policies, clinical informatics.

Kleib, M., & Nagle, L. (2018). Factors associated with Canadian nurses\\\\\\\\\\\\' informatics competency. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 36(8), 406-415.

Staffing For Nurses In Hospitals

Twigg, D. E., Myers, H., Duffield, C., Giles, M., & Evans, G. (2015). Is there an economic case for investing in nursing care–what does the literature tell us?. Journal of advanced nursing, 71(5), 975-990.

Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Zhang, Z., Wang, C., Liu, Z., Zou, G., Li, J. & Lu, M. (2019, August 13). Host Genetic Determinants of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Frontiers in Genetics, 10(696),1-24.

Hospital Corporation Of America HCA

Organizational situations and interventions.

Zhou, S., Da, S., Guo, H. & Zhang, X. (2018, April 17). Work-Family Conflict and Mental Health Among Female Employees: A Sequential Mediation Model via Negative Affect and Perceived Stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 9(544), doi:   https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00544

Related Topics

• Nursing Shortages
• Water Shortage

Category Topics

• Community Relations
• Emotional Development
• Santa Claus
• Belief System

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Medicare — The Issue Of Nurse Shortage

The Issue of Nurse Shortage

• Categories: Medicare Nurse

About this sample

Words: 1469 |

Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 1469 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

Table of contents

Nursing shortage essay outline, nursing shortage essay example, introduction.

• Introduction to the significance of nurses in healthcare
• Statement of the issue: Nursing shortages in New Zealand

Recruitment Challenges and Stereotypes

• Difficulty in recruiting young people into nursing
• Influence of nursing stereotypes and media portrayal on career choices
• Impact of recruitment challenges on nursing shortages

Impact of an Ageing Population

• Increasing demand for healthcare services, particularly in aged care
• Projected growth in the need for aged care caregivers and nurses
• Consequences of recruitment difficulties in the context of an ageing population

Increased Workloads and Nurse Fatigue

• Effect of nursing shortages on the workloads of nurses
• Burnout among nurses due to expanding roles and workload
• The relationship between nurse fatigue and patient safety

Nurse-to-Patient Ratio

• Altered nurse-to-patient ratios due to staffing shortages
• Impact on patient safety, error rates, and healthcare outcomes
• Examples and statistics illustrating the consequences of nurse-to-patient ratio changes

Missed Nursing Cares

• Definition and significance of missed nursing care
• Causes of missed nursing cares, including staffing shortage
• Impact on patient care quality and outcomes
• Summary of key points related to nursing shortages and their consequences
• Overall impact on the nursing profession and patient care quality

Works Cited

• Health Workforce New Zealand. (2019). Health of the Health Workforce 2019. Ministry of Health. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/health-of-the-health-workforce-2019_0.pdf
• McHugh, M. D., Kutney-Lee, A., Cimiotti, J. P., Sloane, D. M., & Aiken, L. H. (2011). Nurses’ widespread job dissatisfaction, burnout, and frustration with health benefits signal problems for patient care. Health Affairs, 30(2), 202-210.
• Nursing Council of New Zealand. (2017). New Zealand Nursing Workforce 2016 Demographics Survey. https://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/Publications/Reports/Nursing-workforce-reports
• Nursing Praxis in New Zealand. (2013). Work intensification: A New Zealand nursing perspective. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 29(1), 19-28.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2019). Health at a Glance 2019: OECD Indicators. OECD Publishing.
• Pool, I. (2012). Nursing as a career choice: Perceptions of school students in New Zealand. Journal of Research in Nursing, 17(2), 147-157.
• Royal College of Nursing. (2021). UK nurse shortage worsens during Covid-19 pandemic. https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/uk-nurse-shortage-worsens-during-covid-19-pandemic
• Stone, P. W., Hughes, R., & Dailey, M. (2010). Nurse working conditions and patient safety outcomes. Medical care, 48(6), 582-591.
• Watson, R. (2019). Recruitment and retention of nurses in the United Kingdom. Journal of Research in Nursing, 24(1-2), 85-86.
• World Health Organization. (2021). Nursing and midwifery.

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How to Become a Nurse Practitioner: Steps & Tips

"The role of a nurse practitioner is more than just a job—it's a calling," says Jon Fanning, CEO of the AANP. "With nearly 100 million people in areas lacking primary care, NPs are expanding access to healthcare across the nation. They inspire a new generation to serve and build healthier communities."

Nurse practitioners combine clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with a focus on disease prevention and health management. They bring a comprehensive and personal touch to healthcare, providing high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered care. With over 385,000 NPs addressing the primary care shortage in America, they are crucial to our healthcare system.

If you're considering this rewarding career, read on to learn the essential steps to becoming a nurse practitioner, the job outlook, and answers to common questions.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced nurse with education and training that exceeds the level of a registered nurse (RN). In some states, NPs can practice independently like doctors, while in others, they must work under a doctor's supervision.

NPs focus on the overall health and well-being of their patients. They emphasize health promotion, disease prevention, and health education. By helping patients make better health and lifestyle choices, NPs can also help reduce healthcare costs.

To ensure they provide the best care, nurse practitioners must get national certification, go through regular peer reviews, and evaluate their clinical outcomes. They adhere to strict ethical standards and continually pursue professional development to keep their skills up-to-date.

In addition to providing direct care, NPs lead and participate in health forums, conduct research, and apply their findings in practice.

NPs offer a wide range of services both independently and in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including:

• Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests like lab work and X-rays
• Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and injuries
• Prescribing medications and treatments
• Managing patients' overall care
• Counseling patients
• Educating patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle choices

Feeling Bogged Down by Nursing Studies?

Our skilled professionals are ready to guide you through your coursework and propel you towards your nursing career!

RN vs NP: What is the Difference

Both registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) play vital roles in patient care. Since all NPs start as RNs, there's often some overlap in their careers. However, their daily responsibilities differ significantly.

Nurse Practitioner Education

According to our custom nursing essay writing , to become a NP, you must complete advanced education beyond your registered nurse training. This involves earning either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Both degrees include courses and clinical training that prepare nurses to work in primary care, acute care, and long-term healthcare settings.

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): All states require NPs to hold an MSN. This program typically takes 18 months to three years to complete, depending on your previous education and whether you study full-time or part-time. For example, a nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing can usually finish an MSN program in about two years with full-time study.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): By 2025, many entry-level NP positions may require a DNP. This degree focuses more on clinical practice than the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), which is geared towards research and academia. DNP programs can take one to two years for those who already have an MSN or three to four years for those starting with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Nurse Practitioner Specialties

After completing their core coursework, students focus on courses for nurse practitioner specialties and clinical hours specific to their chosen field. This specialized training prepares them for licensure in various areas, including:

• Acute Care.
• Adult Health.
• Family Health.
• Gerontology Health.
• Neonatal Health.
• Pediatric/Child Health.
• Psychiatric/Mental Health.
• Women's Health.

NPs can also pursue sub-specialties in areas such as:

• Allergy and Immunology.
• Cardiovascular.
• Dermatology.
• Endocrinology.
• Gastroenterology.
• Hematology and Oncology.
• Occupational Health.
• Orthopedics.
• Pulmonology and Respiratory.
• Sports Medicine.

6 Steps to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

Here's a list of steps to help you understand how to become a nurse practitioner. By following these steps, you can become a licensed nurse practitioner ready to provide advanced nursing care in various healthcare settings.

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

To become a nurse practitioner, the first step is earning a BSN. A traditional BSN takes four years and includes general education, nursing coursework, and clinical training. If you already have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and an RN license, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program to earn your BSN faster. Those with non-nursing bachelor's degrees can join accelerated BSN programs.

BSN programs include general education classes (usually in the first year), nursing classes, and clinical experience. To graduate, you typically need 120-130 credit hours. Admissions requirements vary but generally include:

• A high school GPA of 2.75 or higher or a nursing diploma/associate degree
• Biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology classes
• A CV or resume
• A personal essay
• An RN license (if applicable)
• Volunteer experience
• An application fee

While you look for accredited BSN programs to ensure high standards in faculty qualifications, course content, and overall quality, check out our list of full ride nursing scholarships .

Obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) License

After completing your bachelor's degree, the next steps to becoming a nurse practitioner include passing the NCLEX exam. This national test can be taken in any state and determines your readiness to practice as a registered nurse. The exam adapts to your performance, consisting of 75-145 questions that assess your clinical knowledge in areas like safe care practices, health promotion, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity.

However, earning your license involves more than passing the NCLEX. The board of nursing in your chosen state evaluates additional qualifications under the Nurse Practice Act (NPA). These may include demonstrating good moral character, physical and mental health, English proficiency, and a clean criminal record, among others.

Gain Clinical Experience

Knowing how to become nurse practitioner includes gaining clinical experience. This means working in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings to apply what you've learned and develop your skills in real-life situations. It's where you'll learn how to care for patients directly, collaborate with healthcare teams, and handle different medical challenges.

In these roles, you'll rotate through various departments, like surgery, maternity, and pediatrics, to gain broad experience. This hands-on training not only prepares you to provide quality patient care but also sets the stage for advancing in your nursing career. Whether you aim to specialize in a particular area or pursue further education, clinical experience is the foundation upon which you build your expertise as a nurse.

Earn a Graduate Degree in Nursing

Getting a master's in nursing (MSN) is a way for registered nurses (RNs) to advance their careers and deepen their expertise. With an MSN, nurses can pursue roles like nurse educator, clinical nurse leader (CLN), health policy expert (HPE), or nurse administrator.

Moreover, an MSN prepares RNs to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), specializing as nurse practitioners (NP), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), or certified nurse-midwives (CNM).

To apply for an MSN program, you typically need letters of recommendation, a résumé, a statement of purpose, and transcripts. Each program may have additional requirements outlined on its website.

Consider these schools for your MSN:

• Simmons University offers an MSN with options in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), completing in as few as 24 months with full-time and part-time tracks available.
• Georgetown University provides an MSN that can be completed in 23 months, offering specializations in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse-Midwife/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (NM/WHNP), or Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), emphasizing hands-on clinical experience.
• St. John Fisher University offers part-time and accelerated MSN tracks with options including Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (PCFNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP).

Obtain NP Certification

Getting a nurse practitioner certification is the next essential step for practicing in the field. Certification requirements vary by state but generally include holding an advanced nursing degree and passing a national board certification exam in your specialty area, such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health, Pediatrics, or Women's Health.

Certification exams are rigorous and administered by accredited organizations. They assess both general advanced practice nursing skills and specialized knowledge relevant to specific patient populations. Candidates can only register for exams in the areas where they completed their advanced degrees, ensuring alignment between education and certification.

Get Licensed as a Nurse Practitioner

Once certified, the next step is obtaining nurse practitioner license to practice in their state. Licensing requirements vary but typically include submitting proof of national certification, completing an application, and paying any associated fees. Some states may also require background checks or documentation of supervised clinical practice hours.

After meeting these requirements, NPs may receive their state license, enabling them to independently assess patients, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medications within their scope of practice. This licensure process ensures that NPs meet state-specific standards for patient care and professional conduct, allowing them to provide comprehensive healthcare services to their communities.

On your path to becoming a specialist in the field, understanding nursing care plans is important. So, check out our dedicated article to learn why they are essential.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) typically takes 8-11 years, including undergraduate and graduate education, plus clinical experience. Here is a more detailed look at how long are nursing programs .

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 3-4 years
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 2-3 years
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Starting in 2025, a DNP will be required, taking an additional 3-4 years.

Accelerated Pathways:

• RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN Programs: These bridge programs can shorten the timeline by allowing registered nurses to earn their BSN and MSN more quickly.

Specializations and Part-Time Study:

• Specializations and part-time study can extend the timeline.
• Full-time students can complete a DNP in 3-4 years, but many students work while studying part-time, which can take 6-7 years to complete.

Nurse Practitioner Job Search Tips

After earning your license, consider these tips for securing good jobs for nursing students .

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume for each job listing. Many employers use specific keywords in their job descriptions and expect candidates to use these keywords. Including relevant skills, credentials, and characteristics from each job description can make your application stand out.
• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare by practicing answers to common nurse practitioner interview questions. This can boost your confidence and help you articulate your qualifications clearly. Practice in front of a mirror to assess your posture and eye contact.
• Join Professional Organizations: Become a member of professional organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). These organizations offer job boards, networking events, and resources that can aid in your job search.
• Use Online Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and specialized healthcare job boards can help you find job openings suited to your qualifications and preferences.
• Attend Job Fairs and Career Events: Participate in job fairs and career events focused on healthcare. These events provide opportunities to meet potential employers, learn about job openings, and make a positive impression in person.

Final Words

Becoming an NP starts with a solid base in nursing education and clinical practice. From earning a BSN to gaining specialized certification and state licensure, each step equips nurses to provide advanced patient care. As you progress, never worry thinking ‘ who can write paper for me ’—we're here to support you every step of the way!

Remember, through dedication and ongoing learning, as a nurse practitioner, you'll play a vital role in healthcare, advocating for patient wellness and contributing to the evolving landscape of nursing practice. Whether in primary care, specialty clinics, or hospital settings, you will uphold the highest standards of professional excellence, making a meaningful impact in the lives you touch!

Overanalyzing Your Nursing Career Due to the Heavy Studyload?

Stop! Our top-notch experts are here to support you with all your coursework needs to get you into the field!

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Nurse Practitioner?

How much does a nurse practitioner make, how to become a nurse practitioner.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2019). What’s a nurse practitioner? American Association of Nurse Practitioners. https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/whats-a-nurse-practitioner
• Will The DNP Make It Over The Top As The New Standard For Advanced Practice Nursing By 2025? | DNP . (n.d.). https://www.doctorofnursingpracticednp.org/2020/01/will-the-dnp-make-it-over-the-top-as-the-new-standard-for-advanced-practice-nursing-by-2025/
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degrees . (2022, January). Nursing License Map. https://nursinglicensemap.com/nursing-degrees/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing/
• Nursing licensure by state . (2019, October 30). Nursing License Map. https://nursinglicensemap.com/states/
• ‌ How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make? A Breakdown Of NP Salaries – Forbes Advisor . (n.d.). Www.forbes.com. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/healthcare/nurse-practitioner-salary /

Solutions for the Nursing Shortage Essay

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The continually growing shortage of nurses especially in terms of future projections in comparison to current trends is indeed a growing challenge in healthcare sector. Since the second half of 1990s, significant drops were observed in admission of nursing students to nursing colleges (Benner et al., 2009). As long as the current workforce is aging, severe shortage of nurses is expected to reign given the previous trend.

Therefore, there is dire need to address this issue with immediate concern by admitting bigger numbers. Besides, nurses undergo normal-setting preparations in their course of study.

Care deliveries within varied settings like homes, communities and ambulatory settings are not taken into consideration. A call is therefore made to address this issue by redesigning nursing education in preparing nurses to deliver healthcare services within these challenging settings (Benner et al., 2009).

Federal funding for nursing schools is unpredictable at its best, thereby implying that there is reduced room for resource expansion. Owing to changing times and ideologies, new resources are imperative in influencing knowledge-acceptance. Consequently, public and patient trust on new nurses dwindles greatly when nursing education is considered outdated.

This, coupled with usual notions arising from the presence of majority female nurses, contribute to another impression that nursing is basically a female and semiskilled profession; affecting nursing negatively. There is need to increase funding for updating nursing education and resources and thus gain new skills and good public perception (Jenkins & Lea, 2005).

This report greatly impacts contents of incorporation into nursing schemes. To begin with, there is acknowledgement of outdated practices in nursing profession due to scarce funding.

This report, therefore, highlights the significance of updating resources and expanding room for extra funding for these new resources and thus bringing nursing skills up-to-date. Secondly, facing the drops in numbers, redesigning of curricula should consider strategic increment in numbers through scholarships and other offers.

IOM Teaching IOM: Implications of the IOM reports for nursing education

There is recommendation for improvement of nursing education through delivered reports made by IOM. These reports are prepared after thorough researches in the nursing profession, schools and centers.

To begin with, there is importance in placing foundational proficiency in the forefront due to ongoing anxieties for patient safety (Finkelman, Kenner & ANA, 2009). The reports produced recognize errors and risky practices in healthcare industry and thus give recommendations for improvement practices.

Continuous quality improvement can be integrated into teaching practices through devising new teaching policies and course material for our nursing courses and institutions.

Evidence-based performances can be realized by integrating research with patient values and expertise in order to increase care to optimum levels. Patient-centered care can be incorporated through incorporating patients into care delivery and programs, such that creation of content suitable for curricula and individual courses becomes easy (Lundy & Janes, 2009).

Integration of basic IT skills into nursing curriculum education will integrate use of informatics as a core competency in nursing. Encouraging teamwork and team-leaderships in nursing can contribute to integration of work on interdisciplinary teams and thus integration of this core competency (Feldman, & Greenberg, 2005).

Although core competencies have been identified in nursing sector, implementation challenges are inevitable. Following the downward trend of resource funding in nursing, integration of informatics into nursing will prove to be cumbersome.

Due to existence of old standards of nursing practice, devising new curricula may need more time than actually anticipated leading to delays in implementation of core competencies.

Involving patient-care centers into nursing curricula can prove to be too difficult given the conspicuous differences since they run at different times. Hence, integrating such programs may be quite cumbersome.

Benner, P. et al. (2009).Educating Nurses: A call for radical transformation . New York: Wiley & Sons.

Feldman, H. R. & Greenberg, M.J. (2005). Educating nurses for leadership . New York: Springer Ltd.

Finkelman, A.W., Kenner, C. & ANA (2009). Teaching IOM: implications of the Institute of Medicine reports for nursing education . Silver Spring: American Nurses Association.

Jenkins, J. F. & Lea, D.H. (2005). Nursing care in the genomic era: A case-based approach . Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Lundy, K. S. & Janes, S. (2009). Community health nursing: caring for the public’s health. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

• Continued Professional Development
• The Public Health Prevention Model and the Institute of Medicine Framework
• "How to Integrate the Curricula" by Fogarty R.
• Electrocardiography Training Program
• Trends and Issues in Nursing
• Perioperative Nursing: Surgical Site Infection
• Application Information for Nurses Overseas-trained Nurses
• Philosophy of Nursing and Caring Practice: Jean Watson’s Caring Model
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Solutions for the Nursing Shortage." May 12, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/carnegie-report-discussion-essay/.