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Walden University Pertinent Healthcare Issue Brief Summary

Nursing Assignment Help

Introduction:
The national healthcare issue/stressor that I have selected for analysis is the shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in the United States. This issue has a significant impact on my organization, which is a healthcare facility that relies heavily on nurses for providing quality patient care.

To quantify the impact of this healthcare issue, I reviewed organizational data from the past year, which revealed that the nurse-to-patient ratio has reached critical levels, resulting in increased workload and decreased patient satisfaction scores. Additionally, there has been a rise in nurse burnout and turnover rates, leading to increased recruitment and training costs for the organization.

Summary of Articles:
The first article I reviewed from an outside resource discussed the impact of the nursing shortage on patient outcomes and healthcare quality. It highlighted the importance of adequate nurse staffing in reducing medical errors and improving patient safety. The article also mentioned various strategies used by organizations to address this issue, such as increased recruitment efforts, improved nurse retention programs, and enhanced collaboration between healthcare institutions and educational programs.

The second article focused on innovative approaches to address the nursing shortage, including the utilization of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and telehealth. It discussed how APRNs can help meet the growing demands for healthcare services by providing primary care, conducting health assessments, and managing chronic conditions. Telehealth was identified as a valuable tool in increasing access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas where there is a scarcity of healthcare providers.

Strategies and Impacts:
The scholarly resources highlighted several strategies used by organizations to address the impact of the nursing shortage. These strategies included offering sign-on bonuses, increasing salaries and benefits, implementing flexible work schedules, providing educational opportunities for career advancement, and fostering a positive work environment.

These strategies can have both positive and negative impacts on my organization. On the positive side, implementing these strategies may help attract and retain qualified nurses, leading to improved patient outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and reduced nurse turnover. Additionally, offering educational opportunities and career advancement pathways can enhance employee morale and job satisfaction.

However, there may also be negative impacts associated with these strategies. Offering sign-on bonuses and increased salaries can strain the organization’s financial resources. Flexible work schedules may require additional coordination and planning, which could potentially disrupt continuity of care. Furthermore, creating a positive work environment may require significant changes in organizational culture and management practices.

In conclusion, the shortage of healthcare professionals, especially nurses, is a pertinent healthcare issue that significantly impacts my organization. By reviewing external articles, I learned about various strategies employed by organizations to address this issue, such as increased recruitment efforts and the use of advanced practice nurses and telehealth. While these strategies can have positive implications for the organization, they may also pose challenges and negative consequences. Therefore, it is crucial for my organization to carefully evaluate and implement appropriate strategies to mitigate the impact of the nursing shortage.