Retention Of New Graduate Registered Nurses Essay

Current literature continues to reiterate the indicators of a major shortage of registered nurses (RNs) in the United States. The total RN population has been increasing since 1980, which means that we have more RNs in this country than ever before (Nursing Shortage). Even though the RN population is increasing, it is growing at a much slower rate then when compared to the rate of growth of the U.S. population (Nursing Shortage). We are seeing less skilled nurses “at a time of an increasingly aging population with complex care

Throughout this clinical semester, I have worked with several different registered nurses (RNs) and have been able to develop mentoring relationships with many of the staff on the unit. During our time together, I interviewed several of my nurse mentors and elicited information regarding their nursing experiences and the culture of the environment in which they work. The following conversations provide a summarization of my nurse mentors’ responses to the selected interview questions.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 22 percent overall growth rate in the number of registered nursing jobs. This growth will be driven by an increasing emphasis on preventive care; technological advances in patient care that allow a greater number of health problems to be treated; and an increasing older population, creating a larger pool of illnesses needing treatment. Among specific industries in the realm of health care, job growth is predicted to be highest at physician’s offices, followed by home health care services, nursing care facilities, employment services and hospitals. The job growth at hospitals is forecast to be in outpatient services such as day surgery, oncology and emergency. Nurse practitioners, who supply a lower-cost option for primary care, will be in high demand, especially in medically

“United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast.” American Journal of Medical Quality. January 2012

In an article published by Applied Nursing Research the authors point out that nurse staffing is related to patient outcomes, “lower levels of RN staffing are associated with higher rates of OPSN (Outcomes Potentially Sensitive to Nursing) in both medical and surgical patients treated in hospitals, U.S. Medicare, and other publically available administrative data” (Duffield et al., 2011, p. 245). The writer of this paper researched 5 relevant articles regarding the relationship between nurse to patient ratio, morbidity, and mortality, every article related similar information. “A systematic review of 102 studies concluded that increased RN staffing levels are associated with lower rates of morbidity and mortality” (Ball, Murrells, Rafferty, Morrow, & Griffiths, 2013, p. 2).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS) estimates the need for 439,300 registered nurses (RN) from 2014 to 2024, equating to a 16% increase in employment opportunities (USBLS, 2015). Approximately 30% of new RNs leave their first jobs with less than a year of hire and 525,000 nurses are expected to retire from 2012 to 2022- a demand totaled to around 1 million jobs by 2022. This increase is attributed to retiring baby boomers, turnovers, healthcare reform, and the increasing aging population (Kiel, 2012; USBLS, 2013). Control over the retirement of baby boomers is unrealistic, however, nursing turnover can be regulated.

“Registered Nurses represents the largest profession within the U.S. Health workforce” (nursingeconomics.net). The need for registered nurses will continue to grow and the RN with the strongest skill set will be chosen for the job over a candidate who only has formal

Dr. Linda Aiken is the leading researcher in nursing staffing rates within the United States (Kerfoot & Douglas, 2013). She suggests that each state follows California’s example of conducting research to determine a minimum staffing ratio and making it a law (Kerfoot & Douglas, 2013). The California legislation enhanced nurse staffing in hospitals across the state and improved the patient care results of millions of patients (Kerfoot & Douglas, 2013). After the bill went into effect, job satisfaction increased, and the nursing shortage ended (Kerfoot & Douglas, 2013).

Significance: Because nursing is the largest health care profession and nurses provide most of the patient care, and as an acute nurse, I can relate to how unsafe nurse staffing/low nurse-to-patient ratios can have negative impact on patient satisfaction and outcome, can lead to medical and/or medication errors and nurse burnout. It can also bring about anxiety and frustration, which can also clouds the nurses’ critical thinking. Most patients might not know the work load on a particular nurse and can assume that her nurse is just not efficient. Doctors also can become very impatient with their nurses because orders are not being followed through that can delay treatments to their patients. There is also delays in attending to call lights resulting in very unhappy patients who needed help.

There is a strong correlation between adequate nurse-to-patient ratios and safe patient outcomes (Avalier Health LLC, 2015). Finding an ideal nurse to patient ratio has been a national challenge. In this article, there will be discussion of this problem and possible solutions. We will identify the parties affected most by change, possible opposition to change, steps to minimize those challenges, and ways of measuring possible outcomes of the proposed changes.

Healthcare reform in the United States (U.S.), continues to be a hot topic in the news. Whether it discusses how the program will be financed, the need to redesign the organization, or how the process of delivering healthcare will be implemented; one thing that is a frontrunner, is the need for registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to fill the increased demands on the primary care system (Institute of Medicine, & Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2011, p. 375). “Several programs and initiatives included in the health reform legislation involve interdisciplinary and cross-setting care coordination and care management services of RNs” (Institute of Medicine, & Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2011, p. 377).

While there are notable cutbacks in some areas of nursing, there is still a considerable shortage in many areas. It may not be as great of a shortage as in the past, but the need is still there. Bernstein points out, while some physicians may have seen a downturn in patients, free or sliding scale health clinics have seen a boom in business (4). With the number of uninsured and underinsured growing, people turn to these clinics for their care. This offers some great opportunities for nurses. Some of the recent funding for clinics has come from President Obama’s stimulus package. To accommodate the increase in patient load more nurses will be hired using stimulus money. Bill Rudman, editor for American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) reported the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides approximately $59 billion

In recent years, the healthcare industry has seen a significant decline in the quality of patient care it provides. This has been the result of reduced staffing levels, overworked nurses, and an extremely high nurse to patient ratio. The importance of nurse staffing in hospital settings is an issue of great controversy. Too much staff results in costs that are too great for the facility to bear, but too little staffing results in patient care that is greatly hindered. Moreover, the shaky economy has led to widespread budget cuts; this, combined with the financial pressures associated with Medicare and private insurance companies have forced facilities to make due with fewer

Recruitment of registered nurses is invaluable for any health care facility. When vacancy rates reach high digits, the cost to the facility is significant,

Staffing deficits pose a direct threat of manifesting negative outcomes associated with the delivery of patient care. Anything or anyone that compromises patient care should be eradicated immediately. This author believes that staffing deficits remain a consistent issue due to lack of solutions that actively address the issue. This author believes that inadequate staffing is a major concern due to the degree of harm it can impose on patients. Adverse events associated with