The healthcare sector has suffered from a nationwide nursing shortage for years. This lack of staffing has forced nurses to work longer shifts and double up on patients to adequately serve patients in need. If this shortage is not addressed, patients will suffer the consequences.
The nursing deficit can lead to longer wait times for patients, less sanitary conditions, and misdiagnoses. According to a recent survey from nurse community platform connectRN, 9 in 10 nurses felt that the quality of patient care has suffered due to nursing shortages. The stresses of the shortage undoubtedly contributed to 50% of nurse respondents admitting they have considered leaving the profession altogether.
If the shortage is not addressed, patients may experience even more negative health outcomes. People typically require more health care services as they age. Consequently, because of the generation’s sheer size, the aging Baby Boomer population could magnify the shortage. In the absence of large numbers of Americans entering the profession, staffing solutions – including travel nurses and foreign-educated nurses – will likely be needed to meet patients’ needs.