Nursing Field and Its Challenges, Research Paper Example

The rise for health care is one of the nation’s foremost problems.  It is widely documented that more and more Americans are in need of such care.  One of the biggest impacts in this dynamic is in regards to the field of nursing.  Over the past decade it is clearly evident in this field, with a noticeable shortage of nurses in the United States.  While the current recession has placed some questions in mind, it seems to be clear that the shortage of nurses will continue to affect the country until the supply meets demand.

Shortage of Nurses in the United States

The shortage of nurses in the United States is not a relatively recent problem.  Brown, Brewer, and Chapman (2006) note the lowest point of unemployment for RNs in the country, seeing a decline from 1.5 percent to 1.0 percent in the early 2000s.  In recent years the decline of nurses has been compounded by the aging workforce of nurses.  Experts link current and impending shortages in nursing to the aging workforce, where nurses are putting off retirement.  Of course, this can lead to a definite problem in some areas, and especially in areas where nurses are needed with experience and high skill levels (Brown, Brewer, and Chapman 2006).

The aging workforce has apparently been seen throughout the last couple of decades.  From 1980 to 2002, there has been a 26 percent decrease in nurses under the age of 30, and a 15 percent increase in nurses above the age of 30 (Brown, Brewer, and Chapman 2006).  This coupled with the high turnover rate for younger nurses provides for some clearly defined factors to the shortage of nurses.

It has been said that the biggest challenge in the medical field as a whole is in regards to increased need for medical care (Taylor 2007).  Taylor also notes that the impact to nursing has seen a number of proposed ideas, such as outsourcing, 12 hour shifts, and on-call travelling nurses; however, none of these are cost effective or “human effective” (2007).  Overall Taylor sees the nursing field as one of opportunity, in changing this negative trend.

One successful attempt has been seen in the state of South Dakota.  Officials have been watchful over the growing need for nurses over the country, which has yet to hit the state in the same manner (Sand 2010).  The attempt has come in the form of a proactive measure, in which one retirement home has made its staff available to educational institutions as a clinical site for nursing students in the area.  This has allowed the student’s experiences to impact where they would want to work, in which some have noted their desire and attitude toward the benefits of long-term care (2010).

In the state of South Dakota and others, schools are attempting to affect the trend.  Sand notes that institutions in the state of South Dakota are expanding programs, such as the University of South Dakota expanding its two-year program to a four-year program (2010).  Such implementations would allow schools to provide the education necessary for the advanced skills that some institutions require.  This would be one effective method for battling the dynamic of retiring nurses who have a great deal of experience.

Recession

One of the most noticeable links in the nature of the field of nursing is the presence of the recession.  Some believe that cuts are necessary to the profession, due to the economic effects of the recession in the United States.  However, such views are not shared by others, who stand by the growing need of nurses in America, regardless of the current economic state.

Cuts to the profession of nursing have been labeled a “legitimate question” for Nelson (2009).  However, Nelson does not agree with such critics, citing a number of valuable insights into patient care.  Nelson argues that such cuts would be drastic to the nursing profession, causing talented individuals to choose another profession (2009).

These dangers represent one negative possibility that the recession has on nursing.  Nelson’s concerns outline one definitive stance in the nursing industry, where individuals are considering cutting staff for economic reasons.  Similar to the state of nursing in South Dakota, cuts would pose a drastic blow to the field of nursing, where advances in the education and recruitment of talented nurses would be undermined.

However, the shortage of nurses while the effects of the recession are still ongoing is seen.  Cuts are not normally held as a viable solution in economy uncertainties.  It is interesting to see the focus being placed on recruiting nurses and educating potential nurses for the field.  Truly the focus is not on the effects of the recession and economic trials, but in the need for more nurses.

One example of this is found in the Georgia Southern University nursing program.  As it is the highest ranked nursing program in the state of Georgia, the University has seen increases in applicants and interest of graduates (Georgia Education 2009).  Administrators note the enthusiastic response their graduates receive, where they note that they are particularly aggressive in such recruitments (2009).

The situation evidently points to the capitalized need of nurses, as seen in Georgia.  George Education notes that not only are students receiving a job offer or two, but they are receiving them before graduating (2009).  Two thirds of the December 2008 graduating class received two to three job offers from health care agencies in and out of the state of Georgia (2009).

Employers have also increased efforts to recruit nursing graduates in Georgia.  In order to recruit nursing graduates, employers are “offering red carpet treatment and gas cards just to entice job seekers to attend job fair” (Georgia Education 2009).  Truly as the title of the article from Georgia Education states, the need for nurses is quite “recession proof.”

Conclusion

The need for nurses has risen dramatically.  Attributed to the rise of need for general healthcare, and other dynamics, such as the aging workforce of nurses, the United States has seen this dynamic play out in the nation’s health care and educational institutions.  Nursing seems to be one of the professions in which practitioners are greatly needed, in some areas more than others.

One of the most interesting dynamics has been the presence of the recession.  While some have been quick to consider cutting personnel in the nursing profession, this has not been recommended nor followed for the most part.  Experts see such actions as undermining the effectiveness of the profession, in regards to attracting potential students and nurses.

In regards to the recession, trying economic times has not affected the documented need for nurses.  Educational programs have stepped up efforts for students who are attracted to more convenient programs, and programs that teach advanced skills with the presence of undergraduate and postgraduate nursing degrees.  Employers have stepped up efforts to hire more nurses, such as those who are even offering positions to students who have not graduated.  Clearly the nursing field has realized some challenges to which it has begun addressing in the growing need of nurses.

References

Brown, Steve, Peggy Brewer, and Angela Chapman. (2006). The Nursing Crisis: Challenges in a changing environment. Academy of Health Care Management Journal. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1TOQ/is_1/ai_n25121946/.

Georgia Education. (2009). Recession Proof: The need for nurses continues to rise at record rate. George Education News. Retrieved from http://gaeducation.blogspot.com/2009/01/recession-proof-need-for-nurses.html.

Nelson, Sioban. (2009). ‘Do We Really Need all these Nurses?’ TheStar.com. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/599226.

Sand, Elisa. (2010). Nursing Profession Facing Challenges. Madison Daily Reader. Retrieved from http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20401175&BRD=1302&PAG=461&dept_id=181987&rfi=6.

Taylor, Terry. (2007). Nurse Power: Find it, keep it, grow it, share it! The Nurses’ Journal. Retrieved from http://www.2theheartofthematter.blogspot.com/.