Assignment: Analysis of an important healthcare topic: Analysis of an
Introduction
Healthcare is facing many challenges. These include a growing patient population and increasing healthcare costs. A major problem in healthcare is the negative impact of the nursing shortage on healthcare institutions. This paper examines the issue of nursing shortage in healthcare and how it impacts healthcare providers. The paper will also summarize two articles on the change strategies that healthcare organizations use to combat the shortage of nurses and how they address it.
National Healthcare Problem/Stressor: Nursing Shortage
A significant problem in the healthcare sector is the shortage of nurses. This has had a negative impact on healthcare providers. The nursing shortage has been attributed to several factors, including an aging nursing workforce, increased demand for healthcare services, and inadequate enrollment in nursing programs (Choi, Flynn, & Aiken, 2016). Healthcare organizations have seen significant changes due to the nursing shortage, such as increased nurse workload, longer wait times for patients, and higher healthcare costs.
My organization has been negatively affected by the nursing shortage. Due to the shortage of nurses, my healthcare company has not been able to keep up with the increasing demand for its services. The result has been longer wait times, leading to dissatisfaction among patients. In addition, the nursing shortage has resulted in increased healthcare costs, which has impacted our organization’s financial performance negatively.
Summary of articles
Tourangeau and colleagues reviewed one of the articles. 2014, which examined the effectiveness of retention strategies for nurses in the fight against the nursing shortage. Study found that nurse retention strategies, such as providing opportunities for career advancement, promoting healthy work environments, offering competitive pay and benefits, could be effective in keeping them employed by healthcare organisations.
Squires and colleagues reviewed the second article. Squires et al. (2018) focused on nurse-led care models in the fight against the nursing shortage. It was found that nurse led models of care, such as nurse leading outreach, clinics, triage, and nursing services, could increase patient outcomes and lower healthcare expenses.
The Organizational Impact of Nursing Shortage
There are many strategies that can be used to reduce the impact of nursing shortage on organizations. A healthy working environment for nurses is one approach. It involves creating a positive work environment and offering opportunities for professional growth. Healthy work environments can be a great way to retain nurses and help improve the patient outcome (Tourangeau and al., 2014).
One strategy to consider is the implementation of nurse-led models for care. Nursing-led care models expand the practice area of nurses and allow them to do tasks previously performed only by doctors. This could improve the patient experience and decrease healthcare expenses (Squires and al. (2018)
These strategies can also be detrimental to the company. The implementation of nurse-led model of care can be met resistance by doctors. A healthy workplace environment might also lead to an increase in costs. Before implementing these strategies, the company must weigh their potential positive and adverse effects.
Conclusion
The nursing shortage has negatively impacted the healthcare sector. To address the shortage of nurses, healthcare providers can promote healthy working environments, nurse-led model care and offer competitive pay and benefits. This can be a way to retain nurses and improve the outcomes for patients. It also reduces healthcare costs. But, there may be negative consequences for an organization. Before implementing these strategies, it’s important to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks.
Bibliography
Choi, J., Flynn, L., & Aiken, L. H. (2016). Nursing practice environments and registered nurses’ job satisfaction in nursing homes. BMC Health Services