Question

• In what way(s) do you believe nursing shortages have an effect on the delivery of staff development and health education programs in the practice setting? Explain your answer and offer solutions to any problems you identify.

Answer 1

The nursing shortage is a long term problem in the health care system. Many contributing factors are lead to nurses shortage in almost all the areas of the health care system. One of the reason is the lack of workforce development for nurses. This increases nurse turnover in the organization. On the other side, the increased baby boomers retirement widen the gap of shortages. Further, the new practitioners have a lack of job training which increases the job pressure and stress. New nurses are reluctant in their position to provide quality care, improve professional skills, lack of clinical knowledge results in poor professional development. The lack of continuing education and evidence-based practice affects the client health teaching. Most of the part-time nurses don't involve in the health education program. Further, the organization doesn't take steps for job retention and staff development.

These issues can be rectified by adopting proper measures. Organization must change their strategies in the recruitment and retention process. Increases the full-time jobs and setting an effective workforce for staff development. Provide a flexible working hour and environment to increase the job satisfaction. Offer incentives and rewards to improve the quality of care. Provide continuing nursing education and training to improve the skills. These will helps in the job retention of nurses. On the other way, the organization should reduce the length of hospital stay of the patient, increase the ambulatory care setting for better utilization of nurses and minimize the workload. The organization should adopt a structure that meets the changes.