Clarifying Connections: Practice Problem, Evidence, Changing Practice
From the literature search, I located eight peer-reviewed articles related to my practice problem. Through the literature review, I explored the severity and nature of the nursing shortage problem. Knowledge from the literature review covered the causes, consequences, and dynamics of the nursing shortage problems in various contexts, such as regions and healthcare settings. The literature review also provided me with an opportunity to research the context of why there are nursing shortages, for example, the aging nursing workforce, staffing issues, retention and recruitment problems, and environmental factors. Through the literature review, I found out different strategies and interventions that have been proven or implemented to resolve nursing shortages, for example, seeking policies, training, and supporting health workers through programs, educational initiatives, and innovation in healthcare delivery to combat this issue.
According to Tamata and Mohammadnezhad (2022), the nursing shortage negatively impacts patient health outcomes as well as the quality of nursing care. Rosenberg (2019) maintained that the nursing shortage threatens patient safety and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity rates. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the nursing shortage due to increased nurse burnout (Brouillette, 2023). Costa and Friese (2022) mentioned that the nursing shortage is a significant threat to the US healthcare system, and nurse leaders should collaborate with legislators or elected leaders to develop policies to address the issue.
Based on the research synthesis, as gathered from the literature review, this is proof that the nursing shortage poses a huge danger to patient health outcomes, safety, and the stability of the healthcare system. The results of the studies of Tamata and Mohammadnezhad (2022) and Rosenberg (2019) suggest that nurse staffing that is inadequate leads to poor patient care with increased mortality and the number and severity of adverse events. This compelling data demonstrates the higher need for practice change initiatives that would employ evidence-based staffing guidelines to guarantee safe nurse-to-patient ratios to safe patients and improve treatment results.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the nursing shortage by heightening nurse fatigue according to Brouillette (2023). The effect of nurse burnout including less job motivation and high turnover rates increases nursing shortage. To resolve this issue, holistic nurse wellness programs with support for mental health, work-life balance, and sources of stress management should be given top priority in the practice change initiative. These activities form the basis of a system that makes sure experienced nurses are not lost and the nursing workforce remains sustainable. Moreover, Costo and Friese (2022) asserted that the nursing shortage has systemic implications, and suggest that nurse managers and policymakers need to work together in developing better policies and strategies. Participating in advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels becomes essential for changing policies favoring nursing education programs, attracting and retaining nurses, and implementing workforce development strategies. Through the use of these reforms, healthcare organizations can improve the delivery of care, support nurse well-being, and stabilize healthcare system strength as workforce problems arise.
References
Brouillette, M. (2023, December). What is driving the nursing shortage? Annals of Emergency Medicine, 82(6), A13–A16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.10.005Links to an external site.
Costa, D. K., & Friese, C. R. (2022, June 30). Policy strategies for addressing current threats to the U.S. nursing workforce. New England Journal of Medicine, 386(26), 2454–2456. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmp2202662Links to an external site.
Rosenberg, K. (2019, March). RN shortages negatively impact patient safety. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 119(3), 51. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.naj.0000554040.98991.23Links to an external site.
Tamata, A. T., & Mohammadnezhad, M. (2022, October 27). A systematic review study on the factors affecting shortage of nursing workforce in the hospitals. Nursing Open, 10(3), 1247–1257. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1434Links to an external site.
