Workforce Issues That Contribute To The Nursing Shortage

By Zack Janiel
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Workforce Issues That Contribute To The Nursing Shortage

The nursing shortage has been growing for several years. As baby boomers retire and healthcare demand rises, there aren't enough nurses to fill the gap. Many people are unaware that this crisis is a product of more than just an aging workforce. It is also a result of workplace issues such as a lack of support, discrimination, work-life balance, and pay disparities. These issues all contribute to the current situation as we approach a period with fewer nurses than ever before. This article will go over several workforce issues contributing to the nursing shortage.

 

What’s In The Article?

  • An overview Of Nursing Shortage

  • Workforce Issues Contributing To The Nursing Shortage

  • Final Thoughts

 

An overview Of Nursing Shortage

The nursing shortage is a multifaceted issue with numerous contributing factors. One reason for the shortage is that fewer people are entering the field, while older nurses are retiring at a higher rate than ever before. 

Furthermore, professionals who previously worked in healthcare have moved into fields with more opportunities for advancement and pay raises. As a result, fewer nurses are available in hospitals and other facilities across the country.

Nurses are frequently undervalued because they work in a low-paying profession. However, it is critical not to underestimate how much we rely on these employees on a daily basis. Nurses provide us with the care we need when we are sick or injured. They also provide comfort in times of distress. Nurses assist us when we require medical advice. Most importantly, they save lives every day. 

 

Workforce Issues Contributing To The Nursing Shortage

The shortage isn't just an American problem. It's also happening all over the world. The aging nurse population, low pay, and lack of respect for the profession are all workforce issues contributing to the nursing shortage.

Nurses face a lot of challenges to overcome in every day’s workforce. Many people do not respect them because they are underpaid and undervalued. Nurses are also expected to work long hours, which, if unchecked, can lead to burnout and depression. Furthermore, some nurses face discrimination from patients who do not want them to care for them due to their gender or race. This has led some patients not even want male nurses taking care of them, even though there are plenty of male nurses. There has also been an increase in harassment cases involving female nurses. The following sections will review several workforce issues contributing to the nursing shortage.

 

Aging Nurse Population

Addressing this crisis also requires understanding how the aging workforce can contribute to the nursing shortage. Nurses retire at a higher rate as they get older. This causes a nursing shortage and makes it difficult for hospitals to find replacements. The average age of nurses in the United States is 52, implying that many will retire soon. This increase in retirement rates, combined with fewer applicants, means that unless something changes soon, there will be fewer nurses available overall.

 

Lack Of Respect

Nurses are more than just caregivers. They are subject matter experts, and their work can be difficult and demanding. However, they are often treated with disrespect by patients, family members, other healthcare workers, and even administrators. Lack of respect for nursing as a profession among society at large results in high attrition rates due to burnout or a lack of job satisfaction among current staff members, who then leave nursing.

 

Lack Of Work-Life Balance

Nurses need time to spend with their family and friends. They also need the ability to take time off when they are sick or when personal emergencies arise, such as caring for a sick child or an elderly parent. A lack of work-life balance is caused by shift work schedules, which frequently include nights and weekends and overtime hours when needed during peak seasons such as flu season.

 

Workplace Discrimination And Harassment

Discrimination and harassment are not distinct to the nursing profession. It is a problem that affects a wide range of industries, including healthcare. Discrimination can be either subtle or overt. The nurse may not be assigned to work with patients of a specific race or gender or may be excluded from team meetings due to their age or experience. Discrimination does not have to be intentional. It can also happen unintentionally. Discrimination can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including:

  • Gender discrimination

  • Discrimination against older workers (ageism)

  • Racism or racial discrimination

Discrimination in the workplace can harm employee morale, making it more difficult for your company to attract new talent and retain current employees. Those who believe they are being treated unfairly or unequally may seek other employment opportunities, resulting in lost productivity for your company. Furthermore, if you tolerate discrimination and harassment in the workplace without taking action, you may be held liable under federal law because these offenses are classified as Title VII violations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Discrimination exists in the healthcare industry. It can be overt or covert, and it is frequently unintentional. In fact, some of those who discriminate against nurses are unaware that they are doing so.

 

Pay Disparities

Nurses are paid less than other professionals, contributing to the nursing shortage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a registered nurse in 2021 was $77,600. While the wage disparity between men and women has narrowed over time, it still exists today. One study shows that female registered nurses earn 91 cents of every dollar that male registered nurses earn. In addition to being lower overall, wages for black and Hispanic RNs are also lower than those of white and Asian RNs. The issue of pay equity affects all nursing professionals, but it is especially acute for female nurses. The truth is that most nurses in America are women, earning less than other professions with comparable levels of education.

 

Lack Of Support

It is easy to feel alone when working in a hospital and dealing with extreme stress. The feeling is not unique to nurses or other healthcare workers. In fact, finding and keeping employees presents problems across a wide range of industries. People who are passionate about their careers may quickly enter burnout mode due to a lack of support from their employers and the government.

 

High Stress Levels And Poor Working Conditions

Overworked nurses experience burnout, leading to lower quality of care. This situation could lead to a high rate of absenteeism, which impacts patient safety. It could also cost hospitals money in lost revenue from patients who have to be readmitted after being discharged early. To help hospitals meet staffing objectives or service demands, nurses frequently take on extra duties that are not part of their job description, such as taking phone calls and handling administrative duties.

 

Final Thoughts

The nursing shortage is a complicated problem with numerous underlying factors. Nurses, hospitals, and lawmakers must make changes to improve the situation. As we approach a future with a nursing shortage, it is important to understand why this is happening. We must recognize that we should work together as a community to find solutions for these workforce issues contributing to the nursing shortage.

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