Potential Issue Affecting Productivity

National Nursing Shortage....What can we do?

According to Huber (2006) the national nursing shortage is predicted to be around 800,000 nurses short by the year 2020.   This is a major issue related to productivity.  I don't know about you, but this is a scary thought for us as nurses and as potential patients. 

WHY are we running SHORT:

• The increase in demand and the increasing rate of nurses leaving the workforce as a result of aging.
• School enrollment is not growing fast enough to meet the demands of the health care system
• Though American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported a 5.1% enrollment increase in entry-level baccalaureate programs in nursing in 2011, this increase is not sufficient to meet the projected demand for nursing services. With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, more than 32 million Americans will soon gain access to health care services, including those provided by RNs and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).  To read more click HERE
• Inability for colleges to get clinical sites for nursing students
• Increased level of stress on nurses-causing them to leave the profession
• High nurse burnout
• High nurse turnover rates-leaving vacancies.

One must ask, so how will this affecting patient safety? 

• Patient safety will be severely compromised if this potential problem is not solved soon. 
• Nurses will have more demands on them then ever before
• Longer hours
• Increased stress-which can lead to errors
• Increased hospital stay for the patient
• Decrease in productivity

Research has shown that higher nurse staffing levels were associated with fewer deaths, lower failure-to-rescue incidents, lower rates of infection, and shorter hospital stays.
 
Help make a CHANGE.

• Increase the use of technology, support change
• Encourage the need to maximize productivity
• Support employers in allowing colleges for clinical sites
• Recruit future nurses
• Educate others about nursing

From my experience in the hospital, nursing shortage can be detrimental to the health care system.  It decreases productivity and increases cost.  Although there are some plans being proposed to help reduce the potential nursing shortage, I think there is still A LOT that needs to be done to ensure patient  and nurse safety.  My current employer had to bring in traveling nurses to adequately staff for nurses.  This is great to have the needed help, but on the flip side it is costing a tremendous amount of money.  BUT........providing safe, consistent, competent, and quality health care must be priority!!

Huber, D. (2006). Leadership and nursing care management (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier