Nursing issue
TO PREPARE:
Review resources about nursing profession issues (attached below) in the United States. Look specifically at the NLN and ANA website resources.
Consider a nursing issue that may impact you.
Consider what might be done about this issue.
Select a nursing profession issue happening in the United States. Post a response detailing the following:
Provide a clear and detailed description of the nursing profession issue.
Explain how you might be impacted by this issue.
Explore how this issue might be addressed and/or remedied through policy.
PROVIDE at least 3 REFERENCES
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:
- 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.
Full Answer Section
- 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.
- 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. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34524769/