Healthcare reform is a term that is ever present in our practice settings and will not disappear any time soon. Review the article below and answer the following questions. Buerhaus, P. I., Skinner, L. E., Auerbach, D. I., & Staiger, D. O. (2017). Four challenges facing the nursing workforce in the United States. , (2), 40-46. . doi:10.1016/S2155-8256(17)30097 2 references with in text citation.
Title: Four Challenges Facing the Nursing Workforce in the United States: A Review
Introduction:
Healthcare reform remains an ongoing concern within the nursing profession in the United States. Nurses play a vital role in the delivery of safe and effective patient care and are the largest group of healthcare providers in the country. In light of this significance, it is crucial to understand and address the challenges that the nursing workforce faces. This paper aims to review the article titled “Four Challenges Facing the Nursing Workforce in the United States” by Buerhaus, Skinner, Auerbach, and Staiger (2017). The article identifies and discusses crucial challenges that nurses confront, thus providing valuable insights into understanding the complex issues within the nursing workforce.
Summary and Application of the Article:
Buerhaus et al. (2017) highlight four primary challenges faced by the nursing workforce in the United States. These challenges include: (1) an aging nursing workforce, (2) limited educational capacity, (3) increasing demand for nurses, and (4) concerns regarding nurse work environments.
The first challenge addressed in the article is the aging nursing workforce. Buerhaus et al. (2017) indicate that the mean age of nurses in the United States is increasing, leading to potential workforce shortages in the future. As experienced nurses retire, it becomes crucial to identify strategies to attract and retain younger nurses to maintain a balanced workforce. The implications of an aging nursing workforce for healthcare reform include the need for policies and programs that promote recruitment and retention of nurses, thereby ensuring the availability of a skilled workforce to meet the healthcare needs of the population.
The second challenge discussed is limited educational capacity. Buerhaus et al. (2017) explain that the limitation in nursing education programs presents a considerable barrier to meeting the increasing demand for nurses. The authors suggest that expanding nursing education infrastructure and capacity is essential to address this challenge. This expansion can be achieved through the establishment of new nursing programs, increasing faculty capacity, and providing financial incentives to encourage individuals to pursue a nursing education. Addressing the issue of limited educational capacity is crucial to overcome the shortage of qualified nurses and ensure the provision of high-quality care to patients.
The next challenge highlighted in the article is the increasing demand for nurses. Buerhaus et al. (2017) explain that multiple factors contribute to the heightened demand for nurses, including population growth, population aging, and healthcare reform. The authors suggest that addressing this challenge necessitates a comprehensive strategy that includes expanding the nursing workforce, ensuring an appropriate nurse-to-patient ratio, and implementing policies that support the recruitment and retention of nurses. Failure to meet the increasing demand for nurses may result in compromised patient safety and quality of care.
Finally, the article addresses concerns regarding nurse work environments. Buerhaus et al. (2017) emphasize that creating work environments that promote nurse satisfaction and retention is crucial for the overall functioning of the healthcare system. Factors such as excessive workload, high levels of stress and burnout, and limited resources are identified as barriers to achieving optimal work environments for nurses. The authors highlight the importance of implementing evidence-based policies and practices that focus on improving nurse work environments to enhance job satisfaction, decrease turnover rates, and optimize patient outcomes.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the article by Buerhaus et al. (2017) identifies and discusses four key challenges faced by the nursing workforce in the United States: an aging nursing workforce, limited educational capacity, increasing demand for nurses, and concerns regarding nurse work environments. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure the availability of a skilled and sustainable nursing workforce, which is crucial for providing safe and effective patient care. Healthcare reform can play a significant role in addressing these challenges through the implementation of policies and programs that promote recruitment and retention of nurses, enhance nursing education infrastructure, meet the increasing demand for nurses, and create supportive work environments for nursing professionals. By understanding and addressing these challenges, healthcare reform can improve the overall quality and delivery of healthcare services in the United States.