Introduction As advancement in technology and healthcare are improving people in America are living longer. It is estimated that the U.S. population of older adults who will turn 65 will double between 2000 and 2030 (Cochrane, Belza, & Brown, 2008). Compared to younger adults older patients are more frail and they have more complex health issues causing them to utilize healthcare more. With a growing population of baby boomers there is a high demand for nursing care. Nursing care is the most important because nurses provide the highest number of preventative and curative patient care (Oulton, 2006). However, a growing problem of nursing shortage will put older adult care in great jeopardy. A higher demand for nurses are needed to take care of the older generation, but issues such as aging nursing staff, unfavorable work environment, and lack of access to continue education are decreasing supply of nurses. Another important factor affecting older adult care is a decrease supply of nurses who have knowledge or specialty in geriatric care. As the nursing workforce shortage continues to grow patient outcome and quality of care in the older population are greatly affected and action from the nursing profession is greatly needed to combat the nursing shortage. Thesis With a growing population of older adults who will need more complex healthcare because of poorer health, factors that are contributing to the nursing shortage especially in geriatric care need to be explored, so action can be taken to combat these issues and better quality of care is provided to the aging population. Analysis One of the main and most important factor contributing to the nursing shortage is not ... ... middle of paper ... ...rown, M.A. (2008). Wanted: Clinical experts to teach the next generation of gerontological nursing professionals: Why it’s important to be an “early adopter” of the doctor of nursing practice. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 34(5), 3-4. Retrieved from http://www.jognonline.com/ Ganley, B.J., & Sheets, I. (2009). Educational innovations. A strategy to address the nursing faculty shortage. Journal of Nursing Education, 48(7), 401-405. doi: 10.3928/01482834 Oulton, J.A. (2006). The global nursing shortage: An overview of issues and actions. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 7(3), 34S-39S. doi: 10.1177/152715440629396 Thornlow, D.K., Auerhahn, C., & Stanely, J. (2006). A necessity not a luxury: Preparing advanced practice nurses to care for older adults. Journal of Professional Nursing, 22(2), 116-122. doi: 10.101/j.profnurs2006.01.015
Due to an ageing population , The Francis Report recommends the introduction of a new status of nurse, the “registered older persons nurse”. One of the illnesses linked in with this is dementia, and multiple factors relating to dementia are having an impact on how nurses are trained and their deliverance of services. In 2013, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) began a new development program to transform dementia care for hospitals. There aim is to develop skills and knowledge related to dementia, the roles of all those who are involved, understanding the development of action plans that identify key changes.
There is a shortage of all health care professions throughout the United States. One shortage in particular that society should be very concerned about is the shortage of Registered Nurses. Registered Nurses make up the single largest healthcare profession in the United States. A registered nurse is a vital healthcare professional that has earned a two or four year degree and has the upper-most responsibility in providing direct patient care and staff management in a hospital or other treatment facilities (Registered Nurse (RN) Degree and Career Overview., 2009). This shortage issue is imperative because RN's affect everyone sometime in their lifetime. Nurses serve groups, families and individuals to foster health and prevent disease.
Houde, S., & Melillo, K. (2009). Caring for an aging population. Journal Of Gerontological Nursing, 35(12), 9-13. doi:10.3928/00989134-20091103-04
The term “nursing shortage” is not new to America. In fact, the United States has
Ageing is not inevitably associated with failing health, but many elderly people are living with one or more long-term medical conditions and for a significant number, advancing age brings complications
Since the 1990’s, the interest in nursing and the profession as a whole has decreased dramatically and is still expected to do so over the next 10-15 years according to some researchers. With this nursing shortage, many factors are affected. Organizations have to face challenges of low staffing, higher costs for resources, recruiting and reserving of registered nurses, among liability issues as well. Some of the main issues arising from this nurse shortage are the impact of quality and continuity of care, organizational costs, the effect it has on nursing staff, and etc. However, this not only affects an organization and community, but affects the nurses the same. Nurses are becoming overwhelmed and are questioning the quality of care that each patient deserves. This shortage is not an issue that is to be taken lightly. The repercussions that are faced by both nurses and the organization are critical. Therefore, state funding should be implemented to private hospitals in order to resolve the shortage of nurses. State funds will therefore, relieve the overwhelming burdens on the staff, provide a safe and stress free environment for the patient, and allow appropriate funds needed to keep the facility and organization operational.
...6 in 2050” (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2012, p. 15). Comparatively, in 1900 the average life expectancy was 47 (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2012, p. 15). This is relevant with regards to ageism in that the need for trained health care professionals in the field of gerontology will be astounding, but because of the current perceptions of older adults there is a gross lack of these specialty providers. “It has been estimated that by 2030, 3.5 million formal health care providers-a 35 percent increase from current levels-will be needed just to maintain the current ratio of providers to the total population” (Ferrini & Ferrini, 2013, p, 15). The prediction is that all health care providers will spend at least 50 percent of their time working with older adults; increased competency while eliminating ageist attitudes is paramount for quality health care (Ferrini & Ferrini, 2013, p. 15).
Aging is a natural process that happens to each and every one of us. However, this becomes a challenge for young nurses. What do you think of when you hear that you will be the nurse of a 97 year old patient? Do you automatically think that the patient will be confused, agitated, very frail, very ill, or dependent? It is okay, many us do. There is where we need to be more aware and change our views. Working in a hospital myself, I tend to assume the same. I also hear a lot of people who are surprised when they discover that their patient does not fit into this mold.
The prolonged shortage of skilled nursing personnel has been a serious concern to the healthcare industry, and this shortage has impacted the quality of care delivery. In addition, nursing turnover has also exacerbated the problem of nursing shortage. Nursing shortage has been blamed on many nurses retiring and less younger nurses joining the occupation. There is also an increase in life expectancy (baby boomers) leading an increase in both physical and mental ailment with subsequent demand in nursing care. Nurses are also leaving nursing profession because of inadequate staffing, tense work environment, negative press about the profession, and inflexible work schedules. Even though nursing is a promising career and offers job security, the
Kick, Ella. "Overview: Health Care and the Aging Population: What Are Today's Challenges?" The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. N.p., n.d. Web.
An important step to decrease an ageist attitude is to take a step back and recognize biases and preconceived ideas that one has about older adults (DeBrew, 2015). Recognizing biases in combination with furthering one’s education about the effects of aging and the specific needs of older adults will help increase compassionate care. To allow for effective interventions it is important that the nurse understand that illness and infection manifest differently in older adults than they do in the younger population (DeBrew, 2015). In addition, through ethnographic study it was found that when nurses spend time doing activities with older adults it helps strengthen relationships and sense of community between care providers and elderly patients (DeBrew, 2015). According to the article, “occupational therapists who worked with older adults felt ‘stigmatized’ by their peers because their work was viewed as less challenging and requiring less skill and intellect than caring for other populations” (DeBrew, 2015). To promote compassionate patient care it is important that nurses and other professionals get support from their peers to confirm that their work is not insignificant and looked down upon. Finally, include the older adult while creating the plan of care to show them that they are a valued part of their healthcare
Today, the world’s population is aging at a very fast pace and the United States is no exception to this demographic change. According to the U.S Census Bureau, senior citizens will account for 21% of the American population in 2050 (Older Americans, 2012). Although living longer lives may not seem like a negative sign, living longer does not necessarily mean living healthier. Older adults of today are in need of long-term health care services more than any generation before them (Older Americans, 2012). Because of the growing need for senior care, millions of families are facing critical decisions on how to provide care for their parents.
Changes within the next ten to fifteen years are immanent as many nurses retire and the size of the geriatric population coincidentally substantially increases. In fact, looming retirements will certainly impact the nursing profession within New England, as forty-five percent of registered nurses in New England are currently noted to be over the age of fifty (Auerbach & Staiger, 2016, p.3). Moreover, as a notable portion of the population becomes seniors, added stress will undoubtedly be exerted on the healthcare system due to increase in demand and decreased number of providers (Canizares, Gignac, Hogg-Johnson, Glazier & Badley, 2016).
From these module readings I have learned a great deal about the elderly population. From the article “A Profile of Older Americans” the elderly population will continue to grow a great deal as a result of the “baby boom” generation. The population over sixty five is expected to more than double to 82.3 million which is over twice the population size in 2000. As a nurse this will affect me because I will see the increase of elderly citizens in the hospital. The nursing feel will need to compensate to care for the increase. In that event we need to encourage the younger population to become health care providers such as nurses. We also need to encourage healthcare providers to work in the geriatric field.
One of the main problems in the aging healthcare system is the increase from the baby boomers.