NURS 6053: Discussion Review Of Current Healthcare Issues

NURS 6053: Discussion Review Of Current Healthcare Issues

Nursing Shortage

While numerous factors contribute to the effective delivery of healthcare services, the process is also hampered by a set of drawbacks. One of the most important drivers of healthcare service delivery is the availability of adequate, well-trained, regulated, and supported healthcare providers. Healthcare delivery is jeopardized if there are insufficient healthcare providers. According to a report by the United Nations High-Level Commission on Health, Employment, and Economic Growth, investing in education and job creation in the health and social sectors results in a triple return of improved care outcomes, global health security, and inclusive economic growth (Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, 2020), emphasizing the importance of having an adequate number of healthcare workers. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a current healthcare issue—nursing shortage—its impact on my work environment and the strategies my organization has implemented to address the issue.

Nursing Shortage

The scarcity of adequately trained care providers jeopardizes the effective delivery of healthcare. According to Haddad et al. (2022), a nursing shortage occurs when the demand for nursing professionals exceeds the supply locally (for example, in a healthcare facility), nationally, or globally. The World Health Organization (2022) estimates that there are 27 million men and women in the nursing and midwifery workforce globally, with 3.9 million of those individuals working in the United States. Because nurses and midwives account for more than half of the global health workforce, so their shortage would significantly impact healthcare delivery. The aging workforce, with the majority reaching retirement age, nurse burnout, career advancements, family migrations, violence in healthcare, and other factors, have all been blamed for the growing shortage of nurses and midwives (Haddad et al., 2022). Due to nurses’ and midwives’ frontline roles in care delivery across various settings, the impact of the nursing shortage is felt across all healthcare organizations.

Impact of the Nursing Shortage in my Work Setting

            I work for a primary care organization that offers various healthcare services, from promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. Nurses and midwives receive adequate training to perform their care duties in the various settings mentioned. In my facility, for example, nurses frequently make the first contact with patients during triaging, assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Regarding the medical surgical department, the facility is better positioned to handle various conditions; however, a shortage of nurses can impede the initial triage process and subsequent patient management, jeopardizing patient care outcomes. However, the organization has taken steps to ensure nurse retention and mitigate the effects of any resulting nursing shortage.

Organization’s Response to the Issue

            The organization has put in place safeguards to ensure that nurses affiliated with the facility are retained and happy to be a part of the organization. First, the organization has established a support system for nurses, ensuring that they are respected, protected, and motivated to work at the facility. Recognition of nurses who perform their duties well, free meals for nurses while on duty, and an effective shift arrangement with a seamless transition ensure that nurses are not pressed to work unnecessarily long or extra hours. Second, the facility has preceptors who guide new nurses in collaboration, provide quick feedback, provide emotional support, and model professional behaviors. The system has assisted in the retention of the majority of the nurses in the organization, which has resulted in an outstanding reputation for the facility in the community, county, and statewide.

Conclusion

            The nursing shortage is a global healthcare issue that is wreaking havoc on healthcare delivery. Even as interventions are implemented, the deficit appears to be growing, owing to factors such as an aging workforce, nurse burnout, career growth and development, and family migrations. The impact of the shortage is felt across multiple healthcare sectors, including preventive, treatment, rehabilitative, and palliative care. Each facility, such as my primary care organization, can implement measures to increase nurse retention, thereby mitigating the effects of the nursing shortage. A proper motivation system, as well as the use of preceptors who model professional behaviors for young nurses, are among the strategies that have worked for my organization and others.

References

Haddad, L. M., Annamaraju, P., & Toney-Butler, T. J. (2022). Nursing Shortage. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/

Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. (2020, April 8). OADN applauds State of the World’s nursing 2020: Investing in Education, Jobs and Leadership Report –. Oadn.org. https://oadn.org/news/oadn-applauds-state-of-the-worlds-nursing-2020-investing-in-education-jobs-and-leadership-report/

World Health Organization. (2022). Nursing and midwifery. Who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nursing-and-midwifery

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Review of Current Healthcare Issues
If you were to ask 10 people what they believe to be the most significant issue facing healthcare today, you might get 10 different answers. Escalating costs? Regulation? Technology disruption?

These and many other topics are worthy of discussion. Not surprisingly, much has been said in the research, within the profession, and in the news about these topics. Whether they are issues of finance, quality, workload, or outcomes, there is no shortage of changes to be addressed.

In this Discussion, you examine a national healthcare issue and consider how that issue may impact your work setting. You also analyze how your organization has responded to this issue.

To Prepare:

Review the Resources and select one current national healthcare issue/stressor to focus on.
Reflect on the current national healthcare issue/stressor you selected and think about how this issue/stressor may be addressed in your work setting.