Nurse Shortage Research Paper

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Recommended: Roles and responsibilities of nurses in nursing practice

Current Issues: Nursing Shortage Give the various number of important roles nurses play in healthcare, strategies must be implemented to assure that there are an adequate number of nurses to care for our ever-growing population. For example, in addition to caring for hospitalized patients every day, nurses at Ridgeview Medical Center (RMC) work in information technology to build and maintain the electronic health record, provide discharge planning/case management, coordinate patient care, lead healthcare teams, manage hospice patients, provide homecare, administer high-risk, life-saving medications such as chemotherapy, service as primary care nurse practitioners, and the list goes on. Throughout history, the United States (US) has experienced …show more content…

Historically, in times of nurse shortages, the government as stepped in and provided small amounts of money to subsidize nurse education (Penn Nursing, n.d.). Moreover, the use of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and nurses’ aides (NAs) has been heavily relied on as they are able to complete required education faster and support RNs during times of critical need, such as during war time (Penn Nursing, n.d.). Given the need for RNs to fill many roles in healthcare today and the medical complexity of patient care, LPNs and NAs are likely not the answer to address our current nurse shortage. Rather, the US should put effort into addressing the nursing shortage by promoting a career in nursing, enlarging the student body, increasing compensation, and encouraging professional growth (Penn Nursing, n.d.). For example, many HCOs place high focus on staff education and transition programs in an effort to encourage RNs to develop their careers and continue to work within a healthcare system (Gooch, 2016). A health system in North Carolina, offers financial incentives such as sign-on bonuses, referral bonuses, and scholarship programs (Gooch, 2016). Additionally, many HCOs are offering tuition reimbursement in exchange of a work commitment, partnering with schools of nursing, and providing flexible nurse work schedules

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