Over the last couple of years there have been numerous stories in the press about the magnitude and causes of the shortage. So far solutions for this situation have been few. Additionally this nursing shortage will impact the oldest of citizens the most. Older adults use health care services at a higher rate than do younger people. Advances in medicine and improved nutrition and lifestyle have added years to the average life span. With this longer life comes higher needs for medical services, especially the services of professional nurses. Longevity may start going in a reverse direction if the nursing shortage is not addressed quickly and positively. In fact a Harris poll had shown that more than half of Americans believe the quality of health care is already affected "a great deal" by a shortage of nurses.
Causes of the Present Nurse Shortage
The present nursing shortage is very different from nursing shortages in the past. Nurses are aging along with the rest of the population. Approximately one third of the nursing workforce (in the U.S) is over 50 years of age and the average age of full time nursing staff is 49 years. Nursing, in hospitals and nursing homes especially is very physically demanding. Older nurses are getting tired and many are no longer able to cope with the demands of shift work and the long hours. Add this to the shortage already being felt in many parts of the country and it is no wonder that many nurses are feeling burned out with plans to leave their jobs. A large study being reported in the May-June issue of the healthcare journal Health Affairs documented widespread nurse dissatisfaction and growing concern for patient well being. The survey of 43,329 registered nurses in 711 hospitals in five different countries show that the problem is widespread with similar problems. The researchers found:
- Half of the nurses surveyed reported a decline in the quality of patient care provided in their hospital.
- Two-thirds of nurses say there are insufficient nurses in their hospitals to provide adequate quality of care to patients.
- In the U.S. and Canada, where length of stay is shortest and home-based services are weakest, only about one-third of nurses feel confident that their patients can take car of themselves after being discharged.
- In four of the five countries, including the U.S., approximately 40 percent of the hospitals reported being dissatisfied with their current jobs; the comparable statistic for professional workers in the U.S. at large is 10 percent.
- Comsumer and provider frustration appears high, with over half of the nurses in the U.S. and Canada reporting being verbally abused on a regular basis.
- Burnout levels are high and significant numbers - at least one in five of all nurses and one in three nurses under 30 - indicated they intended to leave their jobs within the next year.
Effect On Seniors
Seniors may find that obtaining good healthcare will become more difficult as the nurse shortage increases. Already short hospital stays may become even shorter. There will be a greater burden placed on family and home care services. Severe shortages may mean that some care may be rationed, especially elective type procedures.
What Can Seniors Do About The Nursing Shortage?
- Seniors should contact their lawmakers to let them know how concerned about the nursing shortage. We must make nursing more attractive to young people. There are not enough young nurses being trained to replace those older nurses who will be leaving the profession in the next few years. Encourage financial incentives for nursing education.
- Encourage your family members or friends to stay with you as much as possible when hospitalized to help you with any personal care. With nurses and ancillary staff stretched so thin, personal care may be difficult to provide.
- Improve your health by following a healthy lifestyle. The healthier you are the less you will need to use the healthcare system. Quit smoking, get moving and eat better to improve your health.
