This paper presents a literature review on the nursing shortage in the United States and internationally. It explores why the shortage exists, including the aging registered nurse workforce, declining applicant pools, inadequate compensation, and negative working conditions. The paper defines different types of nursing shortages — absolute and relative — and outlines key research databases useful for investigating the topic. It also identifies primary source types relevant to nursing research and concludes with policy recommendations targeting macroeconomic financing, workforce planning, recruitment and retention, and international health policy to address the global nursing staffing crisis.
At some stage in our lives, most of us have trusted a nurse to provide the support and knowledge needed to help restore our health. The nursing profession comprises the largest segment of the healthcare system today. Few careers offer the chance to make as significant an impact as nursing. Incidentally, the United States is experiencing a critical nursing shortage. Nurse-to-patient ratios are being affected while individual patient care is in danger: the overall quality of care that nursing staff can provide is declining. While shortages can often be addressed in hospitals with an immediate need, there is a steady decline in the availability of nursing staff as they move into different professions or do not consider nursing a viable career option (Jonas, 2013). Essential steps to address the underlying causes of the worsening nursing shortage must be undertaken in the near future, and doing so will also help promote nursing as a fulfilling career choice.
According to a report conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration, thirty states are currently suffering from a lack of nursing staff able to fill open roles. Ninety percent of long-term healthcare facilities do not have sufficient staff to offer even the most basic care, and home health agencies are being forced to reject new admissions (Mason, Leavitt & Chaffee, 2014). The outlook for healthcare conditions in the US is not encouraging. Currently there are 126,000 vacant nursing positions across the country, and that number is predicted to exceed one million by 2020 (Buerhaus, Staiger & Auerbach, 2009). More new nursing jobs must be created for registered nurses than in any other profession, making this a critical time for change and for engaging individuals in a fulfilling nursing career.
Exploring the current nursing shortage is essential because many factors contribute to the problems the US is facing. These factors include the aging of the registered nurse (RN) workforce, the effect on nursing educators and enrollment rates, and the negative public perception of the nursing profession. These issues not only affect nurses in the profession but, most importantly, they affect patient care. It is up to nursing staff to provide adequate and safe care in critical care settings. The situation also presents a challenge in how to retain highly trained registered nurses and reduce turnover costs within the profession.
The current nursing shortage in the US is a pressing problem in healthcare. A lack of skilled nursing staff affects individual patients and the overall population, creating a serious problem of demand and supply. Many of today's nursing staff are undereducated and unable to meet practice requirements, which negatively affects patient healthcare (McIntyre & McDonald, 2014). This study examines the reasons this problem is occurring, the historical background of the nursing shortage, relevant policy initiatives, and future recommendations. The central question concerns what recommendations policymakers and health administrators can implement to balance the demand and supply of nursing professionals.
According to the International Council of Nurses, the shortage of healthcare staff is one of the most significant challenges to achieving global health development goals. A nursing shortage is typically described and measured in relation to a country's traditional staffing levels, existing resources, and estimates of demand for healthcare services. As a result, nursing shortages are not easily quantifiable, and they may be described in terms of professional capacity requirements — that is, the shortage of nursing staff needed to provide quality services — or from an economic perspective. Within each country, the definition of nursing shortage and its role in the production of healthcare workers varies considerably (Gordon, 2009).
The international healthcare workforce is experiencing a significant nursing shortage. Countries differ in how they define and measure this shortage, but common contributing factors include insufficient compensation, poor working conditions, and limited opportunities for professional development. Addressing these factors requires coordinated policy action at both the national and international levels (Lundy & Janes, 2009).
The researcher will conduct a literature review using a peer-reviewed search strategy. Published literature will be identified by searching the following bibliographic databases: OVID (with in-process records); Sage; PubMed; and CINAHL (2002–present). The main search concepts will include global nursing shortage, international nursing, nurse migration, brain drain, and healthcare systems.
eLibrary: This easy-to-use resource brings together content on in-demand subjects from millions of multimedia-rich global sources, including magazines, journals, newspapers, transcripts, e-books, websites, videos, and more.
ProQuest Central: Regardless of the subject, this is an excellent starting point for research. It covers business, health, literature, the sciences, history, the arts, and more, drawing information from thousands of scholarly journals, trade publications, newspapers, company reports, and other reliable sources.
ProQuest Discovery: This database provides general reference information and detailed content on the arts, business, politics, psychology, and other subjects, with over 3,000 reliable reference sources.
CultureGrams: This resource focuses on countries' histories, customs, governments, and general cultural attitudes. It includes national anthems, photos, and interviews in which people from around the world describe their challenges, ambitions, and everyday lives.
SIRS Issues Researcher: This database helps users learn the origins, pros and cons, global perspectives, and essential questions surrounding more than 300 major social issues, such as global warming, healthcare reform, and animal rights.
"Types of primary sources used in nursing research"
"Policy interventions to relieve global nursing shortage"
Buerhaus, P. I., Staiger, D., & Auerbach, D. I. (2009). The future of the nursing workforce in the United States: Data, trends, and implications. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
De, C. M., & Anderson, B. A. (2008). Caring for the vulnerable: Perspectives in nursing theory, practice, and research. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Ellis, J. R., & Hartley, C. L. (2013). Nursing in today's world: Trends, issues & management. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Feldman, H. R. (2003). The nursing shortage: Strategies for recruitment and retention in clinical practice and education. Springer.
Gordon, S. (2009). Nursing against the odds: How health care cost cutting, media stereotypes, and medical hubris undermine nurses and patient care. ILR Press.
Jonas, S. (2013). An introduction to the U.S. health care system. Springer.
Lundy, K. S., & Janes, S. (2009). Community health nursing: Caring for the public's health. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., & Chaffee, M. W. (2014). Policy and politics in nursing and health care. ILR Press.
McIntyre, M., & McDonald, C. (2014). Realities of Canadian nursing: Professional, practice, and power issues. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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