The Reasons For The Nursing Shortage
There are more and more unfilled nursing jobs and knowing the reasons for the nursing shortage will help determine how this critical situation can be repaired. There are not enough nurses to fill vacant positions in medical centers and other facilities.
In the future, baby boomers who are nurses, will be retiring which will provide additional reasons for the nursing shortage. This also comes with the aging population requiring more intense medical intervention through emergency rooms and chronic illnesses.
There are a number of reasons why there is a nursing shortage which includes inadequate work environment, stress increase, lack of support and burnout. Nurses are expected to get their word done fast and efficiently. With a shortage of nurses, working nurses are expected to meet these demands to the best of their ability.
Nurses on staff have to work long hours, especially if the patient demand is high and the patient ratio to nurses is not in favor of the nurses. Medical facilities utilize the services of Certified Nursing Assistants to fill in the gap. Then there is the inadequate work environment and added pressures to do much in so little time and with little help. Nurses become frustrated and some leave the profession entirely for a less stressful and more financially rewarding career.
Medical facilities are attempting to find ways to improve the working environment so that nurses will not abandon their career choice. Increasing compensation is one way to get nurses to stay on the job since nurses are the backbone of any health care facility. Doctors treat patients; nurses sustain patients.
Nurses have to respond to codes, give out medications and assist in a wide array of medical procedures. There are some nurses who feel they are greatly underpaid given all they do. And especially is this so when the wages are compared to other medical professionals. You can work extra shifts or continue with your education but that is not enough to stay with a profession that seems to be unappreciated.
Another reason for the nursing shortage is the compensation offered to younger potential nursing students. Some would prefer to work in the accounting or engineer’s field where more money is made and there is less stress.
In order to decrease the reasons for the nursing shortage, more employers are realizing they will need to increase nurses’ salaries, and offer more benefits such as tuition reimbursement and flexible schedules. Hopefully more nurses will stick around in their profession when these changes are made.