Phase 5 Individual Project: The Nursing Shortage
The Nursing Shortage at My Job
Phase 5 Individual Project
Deborah Talton
Colorado Technical University
March 23, 2014
There is a shortage of nurses in this country in general and at my job in particular. “The causes of nursing shortages worldwide are attributed primarily to aging populations, increasing patient acuity, an explosion of knowledge and technology, and the ever-expanding role of nurses” (Wolff, Pesut, & Regan, 2010). This shortage affects our community but most important, it affects those who are most vulnerable, the patients who trust us to care for them. Nurses working long hours for more than three days become fatigued, frustrated, and feel unappreciated which leads to job dissatisfaction and the risk of …show more content…
The worse that could happen is the risk for on the job injuries resulting in loss of work for the nurse and will lead to additional shortages in nursing staff, and medication errors. Generous sign-on bonuses are offered but the nurses do not fulfill the six month requirement to get the bonus. Morale is low and any new hires seem to notice this when they get to the unit. We need to provide a work environment that supports and encourages all staff nurses but especially the newly hired nurse so that he or she will know they have chosen the best place to …show more content…
It is true that we could choose another profession where we would make more money and have better working hours but nursing is a calling and not just anyone can do it. Nurses make a good salary but not nearly enough for the shift work we do or the hours spent away from family and friends because we’re taking care of and caring for you and/or your family member. Nurses pay a lot of money to be educated and trained to care for people with minor injuries to those who have major, traumatic, life-altering injuries or illnesses. Professional athletes make multi-millions of dollars for a few months of the year. But, when they are injured, they do not want another multi-million dollar athlete mixing and administering medicine to them. They want the 60k per year nurse who is well rested and stress free to take care of
Phase 5 Individual Project
Deborah Talton
Colorado Technical University
March 23, 2014
There is a shortage of nurses in this country in general and at my job in particular. “The causes of nursing shortages worldwide are attributed primarily to aging populations, increasing patient acuity, an explosion of knowledge and technology, and the ever-expanding role of nurses” (Wolff, Pesut, & Regan, 2010). This shortage affects our community but most important, it affects those who are most vulnerable, the patients who trust us to care for them. Nurses working long hours for more than three days become fatigued, frustrated, and feel unappreciated which leads to job dissatisfaction and the risk of …show more content…
The worse that could happen is the risk for on the job injuries resulting in loss of work for the nurse and will lead to additional shortages in nursing staff, and medication errors. Generous sign-on bonuses are offered but the nurses do not fulfill the six month requirement to get the bonus. Morale is low and any new hires seem to notice this when they get to the unit. We need to provide a work environment that supports and encourages all staff nurses but especially the newly hired nurse so that he or she will know they have chosen the best place to …show more content…
It is true that we could choose another profession where we would make more money and have better working hours but nursing is a calling and not just anyone can do it. Nurses make a good salary but not nearly enough for the shift work we do or the hours spent away from family and friends because we’re taking care of and caring for you and/or your family member. Nurses pay a lot of money to be educated and trained to care for people with minor injuries to those who have major, traumatic, life-altering injuries or illnesses. Professional athletes make multi-millions of dollars for a few months of the year. But, when they are injured, they do not want another multi-million dollar athlete mixing and administering medicine to them. They want the 60k per year nurse who is well rested and stress free to take care of