Combat Nursing Shortage: 130K More Nurses Annually - Essay Sample

Introduction

Several activities are being undertaken by the relevant authorities to combat the shortage in nursing, first being an increase in the enrolment of students in the nursing profession. With an increase in graduates in nursing, there will be an increase in the supply of nurses, which will serve to address the shortage in the number of nurses in healthcare. There is a recommendation to increase the number of graduates by 130,000 annually, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, which will significantly address the shortage in the supply of nurses. A decrease in disease burden through a change in the lifestyle of individuals is another activity being done, which will have the effect of reducing the number of people seeking healthcare services. The reduced demand for healthcare services will make sure the available nurses are sufficient to cater for the healthcare needs of the population. Distribution of nurses to states other than the one they received their training is the other undertaking, which serves to address shortages in other countries that produce fewer nurses into their healthcare system. With the above activities, there will be a relief in the lack of nurses in the healthcare system.

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How are the workforce tools being used in nursing?

Various workforce tools are used in nursing, with the principal aim being keeping staff in order as well as achieving the workforce goals and objectives. For example, the role of the workforce ecosystem model is to provide resources and strategies for the growth of nurses through staffing, workflow design, personal, and organizational factors. According to the American Nurses Association, there is safe staffing, whereby the welfare of the staff is considered; so that they are free from any factors that might hinder the performance of their duties in healthcare. Whistleblowing is the other tool used, whose purpose is to make sure that unethical and illegal practices are not entertained within the healthcare setting; this helps in keeping the workforce within set limits of conduct, which works like a code of conduct. Various workforce tools are used in healthcare, whose aim is to make sure the workforce is operating in a manner that is consistent with the interests of the healthcare setting. All the workforce tools in healthcare are used concurrently, as all of them serve different purposes, and in the long run, achieve the objective of orderliness among healthcare staff.

What is your opinion on the nursing shortage?

The nursing shortage situation is a threat to the welfare of the healthcare sector, as nurses play a significant role in the achievement of healthcare goals and objectives. When there are adequate nurses in healthcare facilities, activities will run smoothly, and there will be a higher level of success achieved in the long run. However, when the supply of nurses is low, some fewer people serve to help other healthcare service providers in the hospitals, which might cripple operations or lead to poor service delivery. In my opinion, to address the nursing shortage, the healthcare sector should develop a strategic plan which will make sure the number of nurses is adequate regarding the healthcare needs at the moment, as well as the projected needs. All the stakeholders in healthcare should be involved in planning. The involvement is to factor in inclusivity, and take into consideration interests of all parties in the healthcare sector. When the recommendations and plans of the various parties are implemented, then the issue of nursing shortage will be solved.

References

US Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). The future of the nursing workforce: National-and state-level projections, 2012-2025. Accessed on June 22, 2016.

American Nurses Association. Workplace Advocacy. Retrieved from: <https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/>