Specific competing needs that may impact nurse shortage
Specific competing needs that may impact nurse shortage
2 scholarly References within the last two years for each post
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Michelle R
Discussion Post # 1
Competing needs in the workforce have presented as a big challenge during the height of the pandemic. There was substantial changes that needed to get done, with that including policy change. The needs of the patients and workforce can be addressed with policy acknowledging inadequate staffing. Failure to properly use the current workforce available may result in a shortage of employees. A health care organization may be affected by this and result in poor quality care due to this shortage. With limited staff and resources this increases workload, leading to burnout and ultimately compromising patient’s wellbeing.
Specific competing needs that may impact nurse shortage
“Shortage of nurses affect the country health care setting and significantly, it also affect the patient care which results in overall health decline in the whole country.” (Ghafoor et al., 2021) Health care organizations are trying to find a balance between staffing and patient’s needs. This will enable them to maintain profitability between patient care and operational costs. Health care organizations should strive to match their existing needs both of staff and patients. This can be achieved with management adjusting nursing staffing models. “Administrative practices result in a structure of the nursing staff of an agency (nature of supervision) and staff or staff hours assigned to different subunits in a facility.” (Simpson et al., 2021)
The impacts and how policy might address the competing needs
These needs can be addressed with a policy. These policies will help improve staffing shortage, work distribution, and safe nurse to patient ratio.
In the policy , the ratio depending on the unit or area the nurse is working will be outlined. This can overall improve workplace conditions, and decrease
mediations errors, falls, and poor patient outcomes. This is a fair indicator of the health care organization investment in staffing.
“The budgeted staffing ratios must be planned with staff nurse input and support, and their decision making must be respected.”
(Nurse Staffing Ratios: The Crucible of Money, Policy, Research, and Patient Care | PSNet, 2007)
Implementing safe and best practice will create a consistent work environment. This is essential in improving quality of care and safety in our hospitals.
Bottom of Form
Alexandra I
Discussion Post # 2
Top of Form
The healthcare workforce is dependent upon nurses to provide quality patient care and safe patient outcomes. In present times, healthcare models have transitioned from a focus on patient needs to business models focused on the bottom line. This shift in focus has resulted in challenges for nurses and patients. A shift in workplace priorities often means that nurses are required to do more with less resources. This can result in burnout and increased risk to patients. Burnout is one factor that can lead nurses to leave their jobs, leaving already vulnerable patients in increasingly precarious situations.
Healthcare policy is integral to changing workforce conditions and improving quality of care as well as nurse job satisfaction (Verulava et.al. 2018). Changes in healthcare policy are based on priorities and what is deemed most important on national, systemic and organizational levels. Competing priorities exist between leaders, nurses and stakeholders. An example of this can be seen in a facility cutting costs and experiencing a nurse shortage. Patients suffer which also impacts the facility negatively in the long run. Nurses are committed to advocating for patients and providing safe, professional care that primarily seeks what is most beneficial to the patient (American Nurses Association 2015). Nurses can effectively advocate for patients through healthcare policy reform.
In the context of competing priorities nurses must consider how this impacts patient care and what can be done to alleviate the barriers. The development of healthcare policy is an important tool that can be used to improve patient outcomes. One method nurse leaders can utilize to change healthcare policy is through informed decision making and health informatics (Lloyd 2017). Employing the use of technology through health informatics enables nurse leaders to have access to data that impacts clinical outcomes. Leaders can share this data with administrators and stakeholders to advocate for changes in healthcare policy.
The consequences of not listening to the demands of nurses and patients can result in nurse shortages and decreased patient outcomes. Patients are put at a higher risk for adverse events when nurse shortages exist. Healthcare systems incur greater costs with increased turnover. Changes in healthcare policy can create access to program development and systemic paradigm shifts that alleviate nurse shortages (Verulava et.al. 2018).
