Worldwide, hospitals continue to be confronted with a nursing shortage problem, which has been a concern for decades. According to Whitney (2018), there is a deficit in the nursing workforce related to the age of the current nursing workforce, the need for schools to enroll more students at an accelerated rate to meet the projected demand, and a shortage of nursing faculty and clinical sites. Moreover, the population is aging, and long-term care needs are increasing. Patient care can become too overwhelming as one age. The solution to this problem can be found by employing older nurses in the facility’s education and non-direct patient care areas as resource personnel (Marquis & Huston, 2017).
With more experienced nurses retiring earlier, younger nurses will need to gain exposure to the valuable experience and knowledge that older nurses have accrued during their careers. The availability of clinical preceptor sites for nursing students also contributes to a need for more nurses. Because many nursing students apply at the facilities where they do their preceptorships, hospital systems that partner with nursing schools can benefit financially and as employers. As a result of staffing shortages, higher patient needs and pressures, and potential violence, nurses are feeling burned out and are seeking employment outside of healthcare. There is a need for changes within the nursing industry. There are several issues related to nursing, but there are also options, and nurses tend to go where they are well-paid and treated.
To improve the quality of service, facility leadership should pay attention to and listen to the staff when they talk about issues. This is the biggest issue in the region I practice; nurses are not being incentivized or paid anywhere near what they are worth for the knowledge and experience they bring with them. Nursing salaries in Oklahoma are among the lowest in the nation. RNs in Oklahoma earn an average salary of $64,800 a year. Accordingly, Oklahoma nurses make an average hourly wage of $31.15. Meanwhile, the national average for RNs is $77,460. In terms of an hourly wage, this is approximately $37.24 an hour annually (Registered nurse salary in Oklahoma (2021): Trusted health).
Lack of mental health support and understanding is another issue plaguing nursing. We have had two attempted suicides by two nurses at my current facility. I can only speculate as to the reason, but there is no doubt that the current working conditions of nursing were not one of the possible and probable reasons for them to attempt such a permanent act. Mental health strains result from long shifts, staff shortages, and a lack of resources, so healthcare organizations must support nursing staff. Establishing a mental health-positive workplace culture that provides mental health resources to destigmatize mental health issues is essential. Nurses’ mental health can be enhanced and protected by peer support groups and self-care strategies, enabling them to perform at their best (2022). Happy and healthy nurses are essential in creating and maintaining happy and healthy patients. A healthy work environment contributes to the retention of nurses by creating a positive work environment. It is important to note that as nurses are retained, staff shortages will decrease, thus positively impacting patient satisfaction and safety.
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2017). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing (9th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Trusted. (n.d.). Registered nurse salary in Oklahoma (2021): Trusted health. Registered Nurse Salary in Oklahoma (2021) | Trusted Health. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.trustedhealth.com/nurse-salary-guide/oklahoma
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