Nursing is the largest workforce in health care profession and is one among the highest paying occupation in U.S.A. The nursing industry is estimated to experience the highest job growth in coming years. Ironically, there is a global shortage of nurses, in terms of, both the quantity and quality. It is mandatory to address the issue and bridge the shortage before the situation could worsen to a point affecting the patient care.
At a Glance
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Introduction
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Nursing Shortage: How did it start?
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Mapping: Which places have the most shortage?
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Projected Score: How much shortage?
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Ingredients - Factors causing shortage
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Conquering: Steps to Overcome Shortage
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Career prospects in nursing
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Nurse Entrepreneurs: A New Trend in Nursing
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Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Introduction
What is nursing? The first thought that comes to our mind is- a woman in a clean white skirt, wearing a passive smile, holding a tray full of bottles and medicine and walking behind a physician. Cut to the present era…nursing is now no longer limited to the patient’s bedside. The industry experienced a breakthrough from a traditional practice of bedside care to the nurse being a clinical researcher, information analyst, designer of medical equipment or a nurse entrepreneur.
Nursing is the largest workforce in health care profession and is one among the highest paying occupation in U.S.A. The nursing industry is estimated to experience the highest job growth in coming years. Ironically, there is a global shortage of nurses, in terms of, both the quantity and quality. It is mandatory to address the issue and bridge the shortage before the situation could worsen to a point affecting the patient care.
Nursing Shortage: How did it start?
Shortage in the nursing industry was rampant, since World War-II. The profession was meant for females, with few men interested to pursue it as a career. Later, with women moving on to other professional options, there was a deficit created in the nursing industry.
The number of students enrolling for nursing courses have gown down, largely due to lack of nursing staff for education. As a result, the number of graduating nurses has also decreased. In addition, many nurses choose non-clinical occupations, leaving a few trained professionals for bed-side nursing.
Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has extended the health care to underprivileged people, adding up to the numbers who must receive care, with no increase in the numbers of nurses who must provide care. Also, the large number baby boomers are now in the health state, where they need long-term and end-of-life care. All these factors together, have created a huge demand for trained professionals and are exerting pressure on the already over-worked nursing fraternity.