The purpose of this blog is to explore what I believe is one of the most difficult aspects facing nursing. Being short staffed. It is an issue that nursing has struggled with in the past, struggles with today. It is an issue that is not going away either. According to research, it is forecast that the demand for registered nurses will exceed the supply by about 20% by 2020 (Lin and Liang, 2007). I feel that this is a topic that needs to be discussed and I will be discussing what it is, why it is a problem, and what I feel we should be doing about it. Discussion is greatly encouraged as this effects us all - registered nurse, licensed practical nurse (or licensed vocational nurse), nursing assistant, patient, doctor, whomever!
Reference:
Lin, Laura & Liang, Bryan A. (January – March, 2007). Addressing the Nursing Work Environment to Promote Patient Safety. Nursing Forum, Volume 42, Number1. Retrieved September 18, 2007 from http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/faq/short-staffed.html.
2 comments:
Catherine
This projected shortage of nurses is a problem that has world-wide implications. The shortage of nurses in the U.S. have nurse recruiters going to other countries robbing them of nurses that are needed to care for their infirm .
I am so glad you mentioned this, I recently read a report - I think from the WHO that stated this shortage is worldwide and that in the US and Western Europe it is better than most places. The hardest hit are places like Africa and Southeast Asia. We hear all the time about the brain-drain in these countries and this is just another example!
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