NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1 Discuss the events that have contributed (or will continue to contribute) to the nursing shortage, or that contribute to a shortage in a region or specialty. Discuss at least one way that the nursing profession is currently working toward a resolution of this problem. In replies to peers, offer different examples of how the nursing shortage has been addressed in your state, community, or specialty area. NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1

NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1 Discuss the events that have contributed (or will continue to contribute) to the nursing shortage, or that contribute to a shortage in a region or specialty. Discuss at least one way that the nursing profession is currently working toward a resolution of this problem. In replies to peers, offer different examples of how the nursing shortage has been addressed in your state, community, or specialty area. NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1

Nursing shortages are a new problem that not just the United States is facing but the whole world. As the nursing shortages increase in the United States the demand for nurses can change the current healthcare style. There are several reasons why nursing shortages are happening. Some of the reasons are from the current nurses retiring and the increasing demand of the population that is aging. Another reason is the current COVID-19 pandemic that changed the world which caused nurse-to-patient ratio to increase due to the staff shortages causing the current nurses to leave and be burned out leaving the nursing field in general.NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1

The aging population will put a stain on the current nursing workforce since by the year of 2030 the baby-boom generation will be at the age of retirement which will bring approximately 73 million people into the population that would require more health services. This also means that with the current nurses who are part of the baby-boom generation will then retire as well.NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1

A way to try and counter the shortages would be to have nursing schools and health centers to recruit new nurses. With the help of the government this can be done. With the CARES Act, the nurses who work in underserved areas get help with training and educational financial aid. There is also a Nursing Loan Repayment Program that offers to pay up to 85% of educational loans for nurses that work in areas that have critical nursing shortages.NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1

So with the help of the government and having educational facilities be able to take on more students then this will help with the nursing shortages that we are facing.NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1

There are several reasons for the nursing shortage such as, nurse burnout, aging nurses , new nurses unable to handle the patient workload, high stress levels and more. Nursing schools are aware of the shortage but unfortunately there are not enough nursing faculty to service the potential nursing students. The patient is the most important individual to the health care organization and they deserve quality care. When nurses have higher education and multi-skilled they can effectively combat the health care workforce and essentially care for more patients.NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1

A common objective of health care providers and health organizations is to provide safe, effective quality care therefore, adequate nursing staff is vital. Decreased staffing is a huge contributor to the nurse stress level which may cause their work performance levels to become compromised and job dis-satisfaction occurs leading to more nurses leaving nursing altogether. Quality of patient care is decreased when access to health care is affected by nurse stressors or nurse burnout (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2017).NRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2017). Nursing shortage fact sheet. http://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-ShortageNRS 440 Topic 1 DQ 1