The nursing field is the backbone of the healthcare system, which is why medical professionals and industry experts across all specialties are working to reduce the scope of the nursing shortage. A shortage of nurses is resulting in a detrimental impact on patient outcomes and increasing the risk of nursing burnout, further exacerbating the repercussions of staffing issues.
Nurses who have been caring for patients since the onset of the pandemic have been learning how to provide exceptional care despite the nursing shortage, and those studying to become nurses will have the opportunity to work collaboratively in order to develop nursing shortage solutions.
Understanding the Nursing Shortage Crisis
The nursing shortage has been worsening for decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic that began in the early months of 2020 significantly expedited its severity. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the nursing shortage is expected to continue to increase through 2030, particularly as the Baby Boomer generation ages and a significant portion of the nursing workforce retires.
Factors Contributing to the Nursing Shortage
The nursing shortage is a multifaceted issue due to a variety of factors. According to NurseJournal.org, the cause of the nursing shortage can be attributed to:
- A high turnover rate in the nursing field, which increased during and after the pandemic
- An aging population with increased healthcare needs
- An aging workforce in which more than half of current registered nurses are over the age of 50
- A lack of nurse educators and training facilities
Impact of Nursing Shortage on Patient Care
Perhaps one of the most alarming aspects of the nursing shortage is that it is affecting the quality-of-care patients receive in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices and long-term care facilities. The nursing shortage has impacted patient care by:
- Reducing overall patient satisfaction ratings
- Increasing the risk of errors when caring for patients
- Increasing the morbidity and mortality rates among patients in hospital settings
7 Strategies for Optimizing Patient Care During Staffing Deficits
Fortunately, healthcare providers have been collaborating to optimize patient care, even when there are staffing deficits. Below are some of the top nursing shortage solutions to prioritize patient care and reduce detrimental outcomes:
Implementing Nurse Retention Programs
Retaining the most qualified and skilled nurses is key to addressing the nursing shortage and improving patient care despite staffing deficits. When healthcare facilities work to provide nurses with a supportive environment and positive culture, they are better able to improve retention rates overall. Consistent staff that grows along with the facility will organically lead to improved patient outcomes.
Leveraging Technology to Enhance Efficiency
Healthcare facilities should invest in the latest technology that can reduce the burden and workload of existing nurses, allowing them to focus more fully on patient care. This technology can help reduce or eliminate administrative tasks that may keep nurses away from their patients.
Utilizing Interprofessional Collaboration
According to the American Nurses Association, interprofessional collaboration is key to reducing nursing burnout and improving patient outcomes. By giving nurses a seat at the table and asking for their insight when developing nursing shortage solutions, healthcare facilities will be able to attract and retain top talent in the field.
Offering Flexibility in Scheduling and Work Arrangements
Nurse.com notes that flexible scheduling could be the key to improving workplace conditions for nurses and ultimately providing patients with the best possible care. Allowing nurses to adopt a schedule that offers a better sense of work-life balance can reduce burnout and increase their focus while caring for patients.
Prioritizing Patient Care Activities
Being able to prioritize patients and ensure they receive necessary care in a timely manner can help optimize the workflow, even if there are fewer nurses available to care for patients at the facility.
Streamlining Documentation Processes
Nurses are required to perform a wide range of administrative tasks to maintain their reports, including documenting the care patients receive. Leveraging technology to streamline the documentation process, nurses can become more efficient and focused on caring for their patients.
Allocating Resources Strategically
Through strategic resource investment and allocation based on priority patients, nurses can access the materials and tools they need to continuously prioritize delivering the highest-quality care.
7 Strategies for Coping With Challenges of the Nursing Shortage
The nursing shortage can make the work environment incredibly stressful for nurses, many of whom are working long hours (including mandated overtime) to care for higher patient volumes. Nurses can cope with the challenges of the nursing shortage by:
Addressing Burnout and Workforce Fatigue
The American Nurses Association reports that nearly 62% of all nurses experience burnout and workplace fatigue. Some of the best ways to address burnout are to prioritize your mental health, implement a physical exercise routine and set appropriate boundaries between your professional and personal life.
Managing Increased Workload and Patient Acuity
Nurses across all specialties are facing increased workloads, requiring them to prioritize tasks and delegate accordingly to ensure that patients receive the expert, personalized care they need.
Ensuring Patient Safety Amid Staffing Challenges
With fewer nurses available and increasing patient volumes, it is more difficult to ensure patient safety. By reviewing internal safety protocols and adapting accordingly, Relias notes, nurses can provide all patients with improved care that is free from error.
Providing Adequate Training and Support for New Hires
Healthcare facilities have a responsibility to equip all nurses with proper training and ongoing support to ensure they have the skills and resources needed to successfully care for patients.
Implementing Staffing Contingency Plans
When staffing levels are low, an unexpected call-off or the loss of another staff member can lead to significant disruption in the healthcare facility. With a contingency plan in place for these unexpected staffing issues, the existing staff can adjust seamlessly without interfering with patient care.
Facilitating Peer Support and Mentorship Programs
Providing nurses with ongoing support at their workplace can help improve workplace morale and increase social connections, which can lead to higher rates of employee satisfaction. Through peer support and mentorship, nurses can receive personalized guidance on a day-to-day basis.
Utilizing Float Pools and Temporary Staffing Agencies
Float pools and temporary staffing agencies can help healthcare facilities fill in the gap when there is not enough full-time staff available. These temporary hires can help alleviate the burden for existing nurses and help improve overall patient care.
Advocating for Solutions to Alleviate Nursing Shortages
Nurses, healthcare providers and patients alike need to advocate for intuitive and effective nursing shortage solutions to decrease the burden on the healthcare system. The best nursing shortage solutions not only help increase the number of skilled nurses in the field but also prioritize patient care.
Supporting Legislation for Nursing Workforce Development
Across the spectrum, nurses, healthcare providers and patients should lobby for improved legislation that supports workforce development, such as legislation that provides aspiring nurses with grants to pursue a degree in nursing.
Investing in Nursing Education and Training Programs
Healthcare facilities should recognize the importance of investing in their existing staff with opportunities to receive advanced education and training. Healthcare facilities that provide nurses with the opportunity to receive an education at a reduced cost are more likely to retain and attract the most skilled nurses in the workforce while simultaneously improving patient outcomes.
Encouraging Career Paths for Aspiring Nurses
Healthcare professionals across the field can provide aspiring nurses with insight into the many career opportunities and pathways available. Nursing is one of the most dynamic professions, and an advanced education offers nurses the opportunity to specialize in a way that supports their career growth and aligns with their personal passions.
Innovations in Nursing Practice Amidst Staffing Deficits
Despite the ongoing challenges associated with the shortage of nurses, numerous innovations in nursing practice have continued to propel the healthcare system forward.
Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring
Perhaps one of the most notable benefits associated with the pandemic was the increased accessibility of telehealth, which has led to advances in remote patient monitoring. The latest nursing technology allows nurses to communicate with their patients remotely and check in with them regularly, ultimately elevating the care they receive and allowing them to continue following their treatment plans from home.
Nurse-Driven Initiatives for Quality Improvement
Nurses have started working together to create collaborative initiatives that have yielded improvements in the quality of care patients receive in a range of settings, including hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities.
Redefining Roles and Responsibilities Within Healthcare Teams
As healthcare teams work to address the gaps created by the nursing shortage, many healthcare professionals have begun redefining their roles and responsibilities to ensure nurses receive necessary support during this challenging and complex era for the field.
The Resilience of Nurses in Challenging Times
Nurses have long been considered some of the strongest and most resilient healthcare professionals; over the course of generations, they have always risen to the occasion to meet the needs of their patients as well as their healthcare partners. This is largely due to the fact that nursing is more than just a career — it’s a calling — and nurses are genuinely passionate about the work they do each day.
Collaborative Efforts to Overcome Staffing Deficits
In light of the shortage of nurses, numerous nurses are collaborating with members of the healthcare team to overcome the complex challenges associated with staffing deficits. These efforts are leading to an increase in innovative nursing shortage solutions, which highlights the hope and promise of the future.
Become a Part of the Nursing Shortage Solution by Earning Your BSN at Nevada State University
Medical experts and nursing professionals are encouraging nurses to consider pursuing higher-level degrees in order to develop advanced, specialized skills that can help address the gaps in the field. At Nevada State University, we offer an innovative RN to BSN online program that allows you to build upon your existing nursing skills and expedite your path toward a BSN.
Request more information about our online nursing degree programs today.