The world is currently experiencing a global shortage of nurses, and International Council of Nurses (ICN) predicts that by 2030, there may be a global shortage of 13 million nurses. Once the full impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is known, this number may be even higher.
The past year has been particularly difficult for nurses, who wear a full set of PPE to care for critically ill patients for a long time, while worrying that they may take the virus home and put their families at risk. Nursing burnout remains a real problem, as American hospitals continue to see large numbers of Covid-19 patients and demanding workloads.
About 90% of nursing associations told ICN that they worry that heavy workload, insufficient resources and pandemic-related burnout are driving more and more nurses to leave or consider leaving after the pandemic is over.
In order to deal with this crisis head-on, we must address issues such as job burnout and training gaps in order to support nurses currently on the front line and attract new talents to join the industry. The industry can help reverse this trend by providing nurses with the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.
As the former Dean of the School of Nursing, I know the importance of education and training for nurses to succeed. I believe that by combining education with access to the latest technology and mental health resources, we can help “stop bleeding” the loss of nursing staff.
Why should nurses be empowered?
The nurse is usually the first point of contact with the patient and is usually responsible for making critical treatment decisions in a fast-paced environment. To ensure nurses have confidence in making these decisions, it is important that they have access to the latest evidence-based data and treatment plans. Hospitals and other medical institutions need to invest in the latest forms of technology and training to use it correctly. This investment will not only allow nurses to make appropriate treatment decisions quickly, but will ultimately drive better patient care.
Employers must also recognize the rising demand and pressure faced by nurses, and how continuing education and training can provide nurses with the latest knowledge and skills to better perform their roles. Providing resources that promote continuous learning will enable nurses to keep up with the latest standards of care, further develop clinical judgment skills, and continue to build their confidence in making patient-related decisions. Obtaining these trainings will help provide support to nurses currently in practice, while inspiring the next generation of nurses.
The impact of technology
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the way patients interact with healthcare professionals, including nurses, and technology is playing an important role.
Nurses are responsible for recording and managing large amounts of clinical and healthcare data. Integrated clinical decision support (CDS) tools and electronic health records enable nurses to monitor and access patient data to help them make better and more informed patient care decisions. However, these tools must be properly trained to allow nurses to effectively complete their work and improve patient outcomes.
Technology has also changed the way new and old nurses are educated. The use of virtual reality and augmented reality simulation education allows nurses to experience real patient scenarios. These platforms enable nurses to perform standardized care and improve their clinical judgment skills, ultimately improving their decision-making skills and reducing stress.
To help nurses be fully prepared for different patient situations, hospitals and employers need to invest in skills that provide nurses with training and career development. Not only will the patient’s treatment effect be improved, but the nurses will feel more supportive as they continue to work on the frontline.
Support through educational resources
In recent years, there has been a shortage of nursing faculty at the higher education level, according to American Association of Schools of NursingUnfortunately, during the pandemic, the situation worsened and nurses were exhausted because they were unable to serve as faculty members because they worked overtime in the hospital. therefore, Despite the increasing demand for nurses, the nursing program is rejecting more applicants.
Technical education solutions, such as simulation-based learning, provide nursing students with a way to develop skills and practice standardized nursing in a safe environment, where it is possible to make mistakes.These solutions also help new nurses transition from classroom to professional environment, which is an important factor reported by some hospitals Turnover Up to 35% in the first year of employment.
Another challenge facing higher education is that nursing students need to start preparing for the changes to the National Commission Licensing Exam (NCLEX exam), which will measure clinical judgment and reasoning skills starting in 2023. The cutting-edge educational technology platform provides students with a fascinating way to fine-tune their skills and increase confidence while preparing for NCLEX.
Now is the time for nursing courses to give students confidence and clinical reasoning skills, and they need them when they enter practice. As nurses develop these skills early in their education and career, they will be better prepared for different situations and help reduce stress and turnover.
Mental health resources for nursing professionals
According to a report, nearly 80% of the National Nursing Association has received reports of mental health distress from nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. ICN survey. Similarly, a Learn The association said that a study conducted by the American Association of Nurses (AAN) one year after the pandemic found similar findings: Nurses continue to suffer from anxiety, depression and other mental disorders related to occupational stress.
Despite this serious problem, many employers have not provided nurses with the appropriate level of psychological support, or nurses are not sure where to obtain resources. Employers need to provide nurses with resources to deal with their mental health issues and concerns. The first is that hospital leaders listen to the opinions of nursing staff to understand what they are going through and what support they need.
From there, leaders need to design and implement policies and plans that best meet the mental health needs of nurses. The introduction and promotion of such programs and resources can bring benefits, including increased workplace efficiency, reduced burnout, and increased retention.
Support is essential to “stop bleeding”
We must provide nurses who tirelessly care for patients with the skills, tools, and ongoing support they deserve. This will enable them to effectively complete their work, improve patient treatment outcomes, and maintain a better work-life balance.
This support is not only critical to “stop bleeding” (leading to a global shortage of care), but also to attract the next generation of talented nurses we desperately need.
