Various problems and issues that are relevant to the nursing field can often be corrected through a detailed analysis and effective interventions. One of such problems is understaffing in nursing as in many hospitals patients are inconvenienced because the management cannot provide the required number of junior medical personnel. This issue deserves attention since there is some evidence of the urgency of the problem. A detailed analysis will help to assess the impact of understaffing in nursing on the working environment and will provide an opportunity to find a possible solution.
Context of Observing of Understaffing in Nursing
The investigated problem can often be observed in ordinary hospitals since not all nurses are ready to work under normal conditions, and high turnover is typical (Wendsche, Hacker, & Wegge, 2017). Also, according to Glette, Aase, and Wiig (2017), the problem is relevant in non-core departments, that is, standard hospitals since the management of highly professional specialties, as a rule, does not experience understaffing in nursing. Therefore, ordinary hospitals with budgetary financing are the standard healthcare environment where the issue is relevant.
Description of the Problem
The essence of understaffing in nursing is that some departments of clinics cannot be provided with a sufficient number of junior medical employees. As Keogh (2017) remarks, this issue has gained relevance due to the fact that a direct link between staff shortages and patient safety is traced. Moreover, this problem is inextricably linked with the effectiveness of education in the field of medicine since in case there is a shortage of labor, it is possible to talk about insufficiently qualified training of specialists. As Maskey (2015) notes, according to the recent study, “every 10 percent increase in bachelor’s degree educated nurses was associated with a seven percent fall in this risk” (p. 129). Therefore, the issue deserves particular attention.
Impact of the Problem
In connection with the existing problem, a certain influence can be traced on the working environment, the quality of care, and patient outcomes. Thus, as Dabney and Kalisch (2015) claim, the staff in the team is forced to experience increased fatigue in case there are not enough employees. The management has to assign more responsibility to the subordinates, and mistakes can be made. Also, the authors emphasize the fact that understaffing in nursing negatively affects the quality of care and, accordingly, patients have to feel because of the lack of specialists (Dabney & Kalisch, 2015). Therefore, the effect of the issue is rather evident.
Significance and Implications of the Problem to Nursing
The significance of the problem for the sphere of nursing is rather evident as the lack of specialists not only negatively affects the quality of care but also does not allow employees to develop. Turner (2017) notes that medical workers who are forced to compensate for the absence of jobs cannot afford additional education. Also, it is impossible to qualitatively approach the performance of immediate duties when excessive fatigue is experienced. According to Longhurst (2015), patients of all ages periodically complain of insufficiently competent care caused by nurses’ overwork. The importance of analyzing the issue and finding possible solutions is obvious.
Solution to the Problem
One of the possible ways to solve the problem is to attract employees by raising salaries, as well as guaranteeing career growth over time. Also, Cho et al. (2016) suggest developing a specific system of competent distribution of working time. These measures will certainly help to correct the current situation and will positively influence the quality of nursing care.
Conclusion
Thus, a detailed analysis of the issue of understaffing in nursing can be useful enough to effectively solve the problem. The significance and impact on the nursing sphere are evident enough to find possible interventions. As proposals, additional incentives in the form of bonuses and the possibility of career growth can be provided.
References
Cho, E., Lee, N. J., Kim, E. Y., Kim, S., Lee, K., Park, K. O., & Sung, Y. H. (2016). Nurse staffing level and overtime associated with patient safety, quality of care, and care left undone in hospitals: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 60, 263-271.
Dabney, B. W., & Kalisch, B. J. (2015). Nurse staffing levels and patient-reported missed nursing care. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 30(4), 306-312.
Glette, M. K., Aase, K., & Wiig, S. (2017). The relationship between understaffing of nurses and patient safety in hospitals – A literature review with thematic analysis. Open Journal of Nursing, 7(12), 1387-1429.
Longhurst, C. (2015). Compassion fatigue in palliative nursing is due to understaffing. Nursing Standard (2014+), 30(4), 9-10.
Keogh, K. (2017). Understaffing and missed care ‘biting hard’, RCN warns. Nursing Standard (2014+), 32(6), 7-18.
Maskey, S. P. (2015). Understaffing and the real cost: A burning issue. Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, 3(4), 129-130.
Turner, S. A. (2017). Update on nursing staffing challenges by state attorneys general. Geriatric Nursing, 38(3), 246-247.
Wendsche, J., Hacker, W., & Wegge, J. (2017). Understaffing and registered nurses’ turnover: The moderating role of regular rest breaks. German Journal of Human Resource Management, 31(3), 238-259.