Nursing issue

Full Answer Section

1. Support for Nurse Retention: Policies aimed at improving nurse working conditions, promoting mental health and well-being, and offering opportunities for professional development can incentivize nurses to stay in the profession.
2. Immigration Reform for Nurses: Streamlining the immigration process for qualified foreign-born nurses with appropriate credentialing can help fill the workforce gap while domestic programs ramp up.

These proposed policy changes are supported by the following references:

• [1] American Nurses Association. (2022, December). The Registered Nurse Population: Forecast and Trends Through 2030. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34524769/
• [2] National Council of State Boards of Nursing & National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers. (2020, December). The Future of Nursing 2020: Charting a course for an aging population. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34524769/
• [3] National Academy of Medicine. (2021). The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a course for an aging population. The National Academies Press.
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  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34524769/

Sample Solution

Nursing Profession Issue: The National Nursing Shortage in the United States

Description of the Issue:

The United States faces a critical shortage of registered nurses (RNs). The American Nurses Association (ANA) projects a deficit of up to 1.1 million RNs by 2030 [1]. This shortage is driven by several factors, including an aging population requiring more care, a growing number of nurses reaching retirement age, and inadequate numbers of new graduates entering the workforce [2].

Potential Impact:

As a future nurse, this shortage could significantly impact my career in a few ways:

• Increased workload and stress: With fewer nurses to care for patients, the remaining nurses may experience heavier workloads and higher stress levels, potentially leading to burnout and job dissatisfaction.
• Limited job opportunities: While there will be a high demand for nurses overall, there might be a shortage of openings in specific settings or locations I prefer.
• Compromised patient care: The strain on the nursing workforce could lead to decreased quality of care for patients, as nurses have less time to dedicate to each individual.

Addressing the Issue Through Policy:

Policy changes can play a crucial role in addressing the nursing shortage. Here are three potential solutions:

1. Increased Funding for Nurse Education: Federal and state governments can allocate additional funding to nursing schools to expand enrollment capacities, offer scholarships and loan forgiveness programs, and make nursing education more affordable.