Demand For Skilled Nurses Intensifies
Working in the healthcare industry requires patience, compassion, skill, and dedication. Unfortunately, there has been a growing decline in qualified nursing candidates. Despite this decline, the demand for skilled, qualified nurses continues to grow.
There are several contributing factors to the nursing shortage. Here are just a few facts about the nursing shortage:
It Is Not An Industry Standard Shortage
While the country as a whole is facing a nursing shortage, some areas are more greatly affected than others. In some states, the problem is regional, with some states facing more dire shortages than others. Unfortunately, registered nurses are some of the most listed jobs in Ohio, meaning the nursing shortage has hit particularly close to home.
Demand Is For More Than Just RN
It is not just registered nurses that are facing a shortage; as nursing grows into a more diverse field, demand for specialty nurses continues to grow. The industry is currently facing shortages for nurses with specialties in pediatric, neonatal, psychiatric, mental specialists, and women’s health nurse practitioners. This does not include the growing demand that is also associated with nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or people working in nursing informatics. Nursing informatics includes those who combine health science, computer science, and IT skills to manage large amounts of patient care data.
Demand Keeps Growing
One possible contributor to the shortage of nurses includes the quickly growing demand for skilled health care workers. An aging population, need for continuing education, financial pressure from insurance companies, and more are all negatively affecting the nursing shortage. Additionally, as older generations of nurses pass on or retire from the field, nursing and healthcare occupations face growing competition from other industries.
Education Struggles
A major contributing factor in the nursing shortage is the lack of qualified faculty in nursing schools. Many schools find themselves turning candidates away due to a shortage of faculty, as they do not have the necessary means to properly educate potential nurses.
Solutions to the Problem
There may not be an immediate solution to the nursing shortage problem. As healthcare professionals across the country evaluate the situation, different theories on how to rectify the shortage have emerged.
One possible solution is for healthcare workplaces to offer greater benefits and incentives. By offering attractive retirement plans, including fully funded pensions, vacation benefits and full health insurance packages, some employers are able to keep nurses for longer periods of time and increase loyalty.
Another potential solution is to engage more closely with local education to create a pipeline of interested and qualified candidates. As mentioned earlier, a lack of qualified faculty inhibits growth in the industry. If the industry can come closer to education than more qualified individuals will receive the training they need.
Ultimately, it may be some time before the shortage situation is resolved. With no clear solution ahead, it is up to the industry as a whole to address the problem head-on and create solutions that will help to grow the industry.
Conclusion
The nursing shortage affects many hospitals and care centers around the country. Wood County Hospital does our best to provide outstanding benefits for our employees, including educational assistance to help further the careers of our employees and a fully funded pension plan. If you are a registered nurse or have the proper nursing certifications, find out why Wood County Hospital may be the perfect employment opportunity for you. Check out some of the available jobs we currently have open.