We have seen nursing shortages before so what is the difference now? Why are nurses and patients so worried about the current nurse shortage? Should we be identifying the current shortage as a healthcare crisis? The answer is, of course, YES and here’s why:
Historically, nursing shortages have come and gone based on program enrollment and healthcare employment trends. However, the current nurse shortage facing Idaho and the US is fueled by a number of factors. We are currently experiencing:
An aging population and an increasing percentage of elders in our communities
An aging nursing workforce with aging nurse educators
An increase in patients who are older and more acutely ill, with multiple co-morbidities
Increased recruiting of nurses by non-nursing industries, such as media, government, insurance, and pharmaceutical
Expanded career opportunities for women
Technological and healthcare advances requiring enhanced nurse practice acts and more highly skilled nurses
According to a 2001 “white paper” (policy paper) from the Tri Council (four nursing organizational members: American Nurses Association-ANA, National League for Nursing-NLN, American Association of Colleges of Nursing-AACN, and American Organization of Nurse Executives- AONE), there are no easy solutions to the present and future shortage of good nurses. It is not possible to isolate single factors or solutions. However, one of the most critical problems facing nursing and the nursing workforce is the aging of nurses and nursing faculty.
America’s nurses are getting older. The present average age of RNs in the US is 45.2 years. In 1980, nearly 53% of the RN population was under 40 years of age but in the year 2000, just under 1/3 of all RNs were under 40 (Spratley, et al, 2000). Unfortunately, as older more experienced nurses leave the workforce, the aging of nurse educators will dramatically impact the capacity of nursing schools to educate sufficient numbers of RNs to meet current and future demand.
In Idaho, the average age for nurse educators teaching in all program levels is over 50 and only two of Idaho’s nursing programs report having any faculty under the age of 40. Furthermore, a full 10% of the existing faculty plan to retire this year (Lind, 2006).
As in many states, Idaho is not experiencing a shortage of interested candidates; Idaho nursing programs have been able to admit only about half of all qualified candidates who apply (Lind, 2006). That is why the Idaho Governor’s Nursing Task Force (a group of 18 educators, lawmakers, and other healthcare professionals) recommended that 400 seats be added to existing nursing programs over the next two years and that nursing faculty positions be increased to accommodate these new enrollees (Group seeks help, 2006).
All of us owe a great debt to the teachers who have dedicated their lives and their hearts to teaching us how to be nurses. A good teacher can turn an adequate student into the nurse patients want and need. Therefore, experienced nurse clinicians, as educators, are in more demand than ever before. Nurse educators share their experiences and knowledge with a new generation of nursing professionals and mentor those who will care for the health of this great nation. Qualified, competent, and innovative nurse educators are the most important solution to the nursing shortage.
Author: Dr. Linda S. Smith Professor and Director, Associate Degree Registered Nurse Program Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
208-282-1044
References
Group seeks help to ease nurse shortage. (2006, November 1). The Idaho Statesman. Retrieved November 2, 2006 from www.idahostatesman.com/101/v-print/story
Lind, B. (2006, June). Condition critical: Who will provide your nursing care in Idaho? Idaho Nursing Workforce Center [INWC]. Idaho Alliance of Leaders in Nursing, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725.
Spratley, E., Johnson, A., Sochalski, J., Fritz, M., & Spencer, W. (2000, March). The Registered Nurse population. US Department of health and Human Services, HRSA, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing.
Tri-Council for Nursing [ANA, AACN, NLN, AONE]. (2001). Policy statement: Strategies to reverse the new nursing shortage. Author. Retrieved February 15, 2007 from the NLN data base on the World Wide Web: http://www.nln.org/aboutnln/news_tricouncil2.htm
Nurses – Do you have teaching experience? Have you been thinking about teaching part or full time? Have you been thinking about making a real difference for our nation’s health and healthcare? Do you have (or are you soon to have) an earned master’s degree with a major in nursing? If you have been thinking about being a nurse educator and would enjoy the challenge of teaching in a one-of-a-kind innovative ADRN program, come to Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho! In addition to a picturesque, friendly, fitness-loving environment with low cost of living, low crime rates, and faculty benefits that include drastically reduced tuition for you and your spouse, your education and commitment to the profession will be valued, respected, and needed. For more information, please click on the following links:
