Nursing is a dynamic profession of providing care for infirm and sick individuals. This profession exists due to the demands of society. One major problem society is facing today is a shortage of nurses. Lois Berry and Paul Curry (2012) state, “by the year 2022, there will be a need of 60 000 full time registered nurses (p.35). Berry and Curry note that the number of nurses will decrease by 2022. A nurse shortage is defined in relation to the current unmet demands for present nurses and student nurses. Nursing shortages are becoming a concern worldwide. The causes for this shortage are complex, some of which include, an aging workforce, a population of the baby boomers, new better paying jobs in technology, and job distress. The demand for nurses is directly related to the demand for healthcare services. Our aging population is rapidly increasing, thus causing a demand for healthcare services and nurses. As the current aging workforce of nurses is caring for the growing number of elderly individuals, the challenge of replacing nurses becomes an issue. There is a high demand for nurses, but not enough supply. The global nursing shortage is causing many negative effects on the healthcare system and the population.
The topic for this report is familiar to healthcare workers, and most patients who visit the hospital …show more content…
A nursing shortage provides opportunities for future nurses; however, it causes consequences as well. The impacts of low nursing levels have several negative effects, such as increased risk for medical errors, death, workplace injuries, etc. For a healthcare facility to work efficiently, effectively and safely, there needs to be a sufficient number of working nurses and experienced nurses available to care for patients. Since there is a close connection between patient safety and nurses, staffing levels have become a concern for the public, government and healthcare