Impact of Nursing Shortages
Nursing shortages have a negative impact on nursing (Heller, Oros, & Durney-Crowley, n.d.). Nursing shortages are present in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes based on the supply of new nurses compared to the available nursing positions (Heller, Oros, & Durney-Crowley, n.d.). In this paper, I will talk about the history of nursing shortages, the global impact nursing shortages have on the profession of nursing, and the personal impact nursing shortages will have on me as a graduate nurse.
History of Nursing Shortages
The history of nursing shortages in the United States began around 1873 (Egenes, 2012). The first shortage occurred when the supply of wealthy students disappeared, and the field shifted to …show more content…
A potential negative impact the nursing shortage has on nurses includes patient-to-nurse ratios (Knudson, 2013). Poor patient-to-nurse ratio leads to increased incidents of nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction (Knudson, 2013). Nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction correlate to the number of hours worked per week (Knudson, 2013). The hours worked per week and mandatory overtime increase the risk for nurse burnout, fatigue, and medical errors (Knudson, 2013). Potential positives to the nursing shortage include increased salaries and flexible hours for nurses entering the profession (Heller, Oros, & Durney-Crowley, n.d.). Additionally, nurses will have the chance to perform in different clinical settings as the need for more nurses increases (Heller, Oros, & Durney-Crowley, n.d.). Furthermore, the image of a nurse, the salaries, working environment, and the decrease in number of students enrolling in nursing are recurring causes of nursing shortages (Egenes, 2012). In addition, the lack of marketing increases turnover rates among nurses and decreases the number of nurses, along with students studying nursing (Somer, Finch, & Birnbaum, 2010). Quality applicants are important to meet the demands of the increasing number of elderly living longer and attracting more nurses for the number of patients needing additional care (Somer, Finch, & Birnbaum, 2010). …show more content…
As a new nurse entering the field, the baby boomer nurses who are retiring create an abundance of new job openings. On the other hand, as the baby boomer nurses retire, there will be a lack of experienced nurses to train the next generation of nurses entering the field. Graduate nurses do not receive adequate orientation because their employers may not be prepared to orient new graduates (Cherry & Jacob, 2013, p.48). Graduate nurses need to learn to take responsibility and initiative to achieve necessary proficiency as a nurse (Cherry & Jacob, 2013, p. 48). Nursing management is lacking in knowledge due to the lack of experience (Top 10 Trends Affecting Nursing Education). Educated and experienced nurses need to assume leadership roles going forward to provide quality care. If the nursing shortage continues, there is a risk for the new incoming nurses to become overworked, which can reduce the amount of years worked per
Nursing shortages have a negative impact on nursing (Heller, Oros, & Durney-Crowley, n.d.). Nursing shortages are present in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes based on the supply of new nurses compared to the available nursing positions (Heller, Oros, & Durney-Crowley, n.d.). In this paper, I will talk about the history of nursing shortages, the global impact nursing shortages have on the profession of nursing, and the personal impact nursing shortages will have on me as a graduate nurse.
History of Nursing Shortages
The history of nursing shortages in the United States began around 1873 (Egenes, 2012). The first shortage occurred when the supply of wealthy students disappeared, and the field shifted to …show more content…
A potential negative impact the nursing shortage has on nurses includes patient-to-nurse ratios (Knudson, 2013). Poor patient-to-nurse ratio leads to increased incidents of nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction (Knudson, 2013). Nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction correlate to the number of hours worked per week (Knudson, 2013). The hours worked per week and mandatory overtime increase the risk for nurse burnout, fatigue, and medical errors (Knudson, 2013). Potential positives to the nursing shortage include increased salaries and flexible hours for nurses entering the profession (Heller, Oros, & Durney-Crowley, n.d.). Additionally, nurses will have the chance to perform in different clinical settings as the need for more nurses increases (Heller, Oros, & Durney-Crowley, n.d.). Furthermore, the image of a nurse, the salaries, working environment, and the decrease in number of students enrolling in nursing are recurring causes of nursing shortages (Egenes, 2012). In addition, the lack of marketing increases turnover rates among nurses and decreases the number of nurses, along with students studying nursing (Somer, Finch, & Birnbaum, 2010). Quality applicants are important to meet the demands of the increasing number of elderly living longer and attracting more nurses for the number of patients needing additional care (Somer, Finch, & Birnbaum, 2010). …show more content…
As a new nurse entering the field, the baby boomer nurses who are retiring create an abundance of new job openings. On the other hand, as the baby boomer nurses retire, there will be a lack of experienced nurses to train the next generation of nurses entering the field. Graduate nurses do not receive adequate orientation because their employers may not be prepared to orient new graduates (Cherry & Jacob, 2013, p.48). Graduate nurses need to learn to take responsibility and initiative to achieve necessary proficiency as a nurse (Cherry & Jacob, 2013, p. 48). Nursing management is lacking in knowledge due to the lack of experience (Top 10 Trends Affecting Nursing Education). Educated and experienced nurses need to assume leadership roles going forward to provide quality care. If the nursing shortage continues, there is a risk for the new incoming nurses to become overworked, which can reduce the amount of years worked per