Question

Identifiy any problem in nursing and provide a thorough rationale for selecting it and state why it would be challenging to solve.

Answer 1

Staffing is the most common problem in nursing setting

Rational

Short-staffing in hospital settings is a top concern for nurses. A 2017 survey conducted by AMN Healthcare showed 72 percent of CNOs acknowledged moderate, significant or severe nursing shortage at their healthcare organizations, and most believe the shortages would worsen over the next five years. Overall, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates more than 1 million registered nurses will be needed by 2022 due to occupational growth and replacement hiring. It is worth noting, though, that other research showed variation among the nation's major metropolitan areas, with some facing nurse shortages and others facing surpluses.

In locations with shortages, nurses are concerned because it means they don't have the time to provide the care they believe is necessary for patients and families, according to Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, President of the American Nurses Association.

"Nurses may not feel like they are doing enough, which causes dissatisfaction and burnout. We call this moral distress. It can be emotionally and physically draining when repeatedly you can't provide care you think is necessary," she said.

Dr. Cipriano contended nurses also consider staffing issues as a hindrance to patient safety. This is because of research showing the benefits of the penetration of nursing care, she said. For instance, the AMN Healthcare survey found 34 percent of CNOs said nurse shortages have a considerable or great negative impact on patient care. Additionally, research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information showed nursing shortages resulted in errors, higher morbidity and mortality rates.

Dr. Cipriano said nurse staffing is a key consideration for nurses when deciding whether to stay with a particular job or employer.

"We see significant turnover in many healthcare organizations and settings," she said. "Inadequate staffing is one of the top reasons nurses are dissatisfied in the workplace."

Still, Dr. Cipriano acknowledged hospitals face various challenges with providing adequate staffing. One challenge involves an increasing number of experienced nurses who are retiring. She said some nurses stayed in their jobs or increased their labor force participation during the most recent recession to ensure their families were taken care of.

"Many nurses delayed retirement, re-entered the workforce or increased their shift hours. New graduates then found it difficult to obtain jobs and there was about a two-year waiting period in many parts of country to enter the profession," said Dr. Cipriano.

But now, more experienced nurses are beginning to retire as the economy has improved. A separate 2017 AMN Healthcare survey of registered nurses showed 73 percent of baby boomer nurses plan to retire within three years.

Demand for healthcare services also increased as the economy improved and more people gained insurance coverage, according to Dr. Cipriano. She said that's exacerbated by the number of baby boomers who are living longer and seeking more care for things like joint replacement and treatment of diseases.

"The constant demand for nurses combined with baby boomer nurses leaving the workforce is contributing to the 'shortfall' of nurses," she said