Nursing has emerged as the most misunderstood profession in the world over a long period of time. The number of nurses worldwide is estimated to be about 12 million. However, nursing is a very distinct scientific field of study and an independent profession whose members play a crucial role of saving lives and improving patient satisfaction and outcomes in different settings. During the last decade of the 20th century, several factors merged to produce a significant shortage of nurses in the United States and the world over (Healy, 2008). Some of the top decision makers in hospitals who either seemed not to understand nursing or did not value nursing at all were the major contributors of nursing shortage. Plans to restructure hospital operations had the result of overworking the registered nurses (RNs) who constitute the highest single proportion in the healthcare sector in the U.S. Subsequent studies to investigate the effects of the nursing shortage on the provision of quality healthcare and patient outcomes have all revealed that shocking results. The essay analyses an article on the various approaches needed to resolve the current nursing shortage and another on the perspective on the recruitment and impact of foreign nurses.
Current nursing shortage needs to be addressed using the most appropriate approaches if the problem is to be solved amicably. A study was conducted by Healy (2008) to identify the current challenges in the nursing profession and to recommend possible ways of solving the challenges. This study was motivated by the continued decline in the number of nurses in most American hospitals as well as in other sectors. The demand nursing services were found to outweigh the supply. After concluding the study, a number of solutions were suggested for consideration by the policy makers (Healy, 2008).
The first one is the need to develop public/private partnerships where efforts are made to increase the number of those enrolling into nursing education facilities. This is particularly when it comes to funding. The demand for nursing services is increasing with an increase in the aging population. More nurse trainers need to be recruited to replace the old crop that is nearing retirement. The author of the article is confident that this will go a long way in covering the gap between supply and demand for nursing services (Healy, 2008).
The need to employ technological advancement in the training of nurses is the second solution suggested by Healy. This is due to the fact that most of the nursing education can be effectively done using modern technology like the use of computer applications and the internet. Clinical experience can then be used to reinforce classroom (even virtual classroom) work. Most patient care activities have also been highly related to advancement in technology.
Creation of a healthy working environment is another important measure that needs to be taken if nursing shortage is to resolved (Healy, 2008). Hospitals or any clinical setting should be kept health and conducive for working in. nurses interact with patients suffering from various diseases, some of which are highly contagious. A predisposing environment endangers the health of the nurse. The challenge of handling ailing patients may normally take an unbearable toll on the nurses’ emotions. Conducive working environment for nurses will assure them both physical and emotional comfort.
The fourth solution is the creation of an enabling environment for nurses’ personal career advancement. Nurses who wish to enhance their skills in the profession should be allowed to do so and subsequently be offered new roles once they graduate to a higher level (Healy, 2008). Highly trained nurses may be allowed to teach and hold administrative positions in the nursing field. Furthermore, Healy identifies other workable solutions for addressing the current nursing shortage in the United States. These include; partnerships with nursing schools as well as the development of alternative financing for various sectors in the nursing field. The author warns that urgent measures must be taken in order to avoid a complete and devastating breakdown in the healthcare industry.
Many studies have shown that there is a growing shortage of registered nurses in the United States. The article in the Nursing and Health Policy Review highlights this challenge in the light of recruitment and importation of foreign nurses (Brush, Sochalski & Berger, 2004). Many institutions are striving to enhance their efforts in recruitment of nurses as well as their retention. Due to the ever increasing shortage of nurses, America has been forced to seek the services of foreign nurses. This has seen the emergence of a booming business conducting recruitments for nurses, both in the U.S. and abroad. This practice has had significant implications on the formulation of policies governing the nursing profession.
The author notes that most foreign nurses are enticed by the relative gains to be enjoyed as a foreign nurse in the U.S. These include; more opportunities for self advancement. The mass movement of nurses, according to Brush et al., causes a significant decline in the number of nurses in the exporting country (2004). However, the study also highlights cultural competence as a major challenge facing foreign nurses in America. The authors conclude that recruitment of foreign nurses is set to increase given the increasing nursing shortage and the accompanying promises of advancement for the foreign nurses. Issues of quality and ethical concerns, Brush et al. warn, should be addressed if the American people are to be assured of quality healthcare (2004).
The American Nurses’ Association (ANA) agenda have great impact on my professional beliefs and goals for nursing. Having been trained on what is expected of a nurse, I find the current healthcare policies and nursing associations/groups as being crucial in ensuring my welfare. Issues such as staffing, health and safety in the place of work, promoting nurse competence, and the elimination of forced overtime form part of the key agenda for these associations.
The essay has highlighted the purpose, findings, and conclusions of Healy’s study to investigate the nursing shortage and probable solutions. It has also focused on Brush’s article on the recruitment and retention of foreign nurses in the U.S. The influence of ANA agenda on my professional beliefs and goals for the nursing has been discussed. The nursing shortage in the U.S has far reaching implications on the healthcare industry which must be addressed accordingly.
References
Brush, B. L., Sochalski, J. & Berger, A. M. (2004). Imported Care: Recruitment, retention and foreign nurses in the U.S. Nursing and Health Policy Review, 1 (6): 78-114.
Healy, B. J. (2008). Current Nursing Shortage: recommended solutions. Journal of the American Medical Association, 3 (4): 116-120.