200k to 450k Nursing shortage in America by 2025

200k to 450k Nursing shortage in America by 2025 – What we need to do
The nursing shortage that has been building up for decades is rippling across the country. The negative impacts on the healthcare system are immense. Research suggests that the nurse shortage has reached a crisis point and is likely to worsen (Keith, Warshwsky & Talbert, 2021). Nursing is the most significant workforce in the healthcare system, with patients spending more time with their nurses than other healthcare professionals. Yet, at the start of 2023, more than one in every six health organizations in America report a critical nursing shortage, with the majority rationing care and shutting down units.
According to Bailey (2022), the nurse staff shortage is expected to reach 400k to 450k by 2025 if the stakeholders fail to take action. The severity of the shortage hinges on several factors, including increased numbers of patients due to the aging population, increased turnover rate due to the retiring baby boomers, and new nurses departing the field due to higher stress and burnout attributable to increased workload (Keith et al., 2021). Additionally, there are inadequate nursing school positions and a lack of finances to fund schooling. Nurse education is among the most expensive, and as a result, the majority are failing to advance their education.
Similarly, employment rates have declined significantly since the outbreak of the pandemic. A report published by the Bureau of Labour Statistics indicated that the hospital’s recruitment rate is down by 95600 staff. Furthermore, the nursing programs countrywide continue to suffer due to the limited number of applications they accept because of the lack of education staff (Bakker et al., 2019). Nurse burnout and lack of necessary support are causing health providers to quit the profession moving to other healthcare roles. The American Nurses Association (2022) projected that more registered nurse jobs are needed compared to other occupations in the US. However, few nurses are joining the nursing profession, and the turnover rate is at an all-time high, which creates a considerable gap between workforce supply and the number of vacancies that need feeling.
While adapting to the long-term impact of the covid-19 outbreak, the constant and increased workplace stress, pressure, and fatigue experienced by the RNs and the effects on their mental health and wellness cannot be ignored. Registered nurses were already mentally and physically strained even before the pandemic outbreak, which is likely to continue for years. The consequence may cause thousands of nurse professionals to leave their careers, further exacerbating the current situation. Clients will lose access to essential health providers, and the healthcare system will struggle to keep up with the cost of maintaining seasoned and focused providers at the bedside. Scholars concur that without decisive actions, there will be a mass exodus, thus threatening the quality of the care delivery hence putting clients’ lives at risk in addition to further destabilizing the American healthcare system that is collapsing (Keith et al., 2021).
Strategies to resolve the nurse shortage crisis
Promotion of nursing as a professional choice among the high school learners
Nurse recruitment strategy should start from high schools. With other disciplines, particularly in technology, attracting many students, awareness about nursing careers should be created among high schoolers. The Bureau of Labour and Statistics (BLS) projects an increase of 12 percent for registered nurses (RNs) and 11 percent for licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) by 2028, which makes nursing careers viable and suitable. Thus, introducing the nursing profession and programs to high school learning augments their awareness about nursing as a career alternative. Though not all high school students aware of nursing careers will become nurses, the strategy is likely to increase the number of new nurses joining the field among other healthcare training fields. Furthermore, introducing programs in high school that will translate to credits in colleges will be critical in incentivizing learners to join nursing as a profession. Institutions adopting such an option may consider assessing the outcome of the high school program to aid in understanding the program’s effectiveness and evaluate the need for changes.
Provide and promote alternative financing solutions
The cost of education and training in nursing differ widely, which depends on factors like the duration of the academic program, location, and the level, among others. The program’s cost for RNs students in community college averages $864 to $1019 for in-state learners and $2,627 to $3,168 for out-of-state students (RNprograms, n.d).On the other hand, university tuition costs are higher than community colleges. There are also license fees and application fees to regulatory agencies, which differ by state, and registration fees for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which cost approximately $200. These additional financial needs may hinder those considering a career in nursing. Increasing awareness among learners concerning nonstudent loan financial alternatives like tuition reimbursem*nts, institutional help, and funding available based on Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act is crucial positively impacting the access and affordability of a nursing career.
Additionally, the increased rate of overall unemployment provides an opportunity for persons to reskill into new careers, which underlines the need for nationally funded, higher quality, short-term training courses in the nursing career. LPNs/LVNs offer a career pathway in filling the nursing shortage gap coupled with training courses to help educate those looking for jobs quickly. This provides an opportunity to support the healthcare sector and meet nursing demands. The strategy will help ease the strains on current overworked health providers.
Provide professional support and opportunities
The reasons for dropout differ with nursing programs and learners. Research suggests that “ending up in a downward spiral of physical, psychological and social problems” and “experiencing an increasing mismatch between expectations and reality” as the major reasons for the nursing student attrition among the individuals that dropped out of nursing programs towards the end of their training (Bakker et al., 2019). Though the reasons for early dropout include academic challenges, this is not the case when it comes to dropping out late. Additionally, adverse experience during clinical attachments was further reported as contributing factor in dropping out either early or late (Bakker et al., 2019). Offering state-wide and countrywide networking opportunities for learners to engage with mentors and accessibility to resources could aid nursing trainees’ support while navigating academic and attachment difficulties.
Additionally, integrating evidence-based academic support into all nursing training institutions could allow learners to access resources from their home institutions. Furthermore, performing in-depth and realistic job previews before the commencement of nursing school could aid learners in evaluating whether a profession in nursing suits them, which could help them to prepare mentally and strategies accordingly. The necessity for networking, support, and resources should not cease with graduation and employment. Instead, new nurses should be empowered and supported through their professional practice environment (Heidari, Seifi & Gharebag, 2017). Furthermore, nursing educators should consider teaching approaches that increase the number of learners accommodated.
Strengthen nursing educational materials, faculty, and clinical placement
A report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) published in 2019 indicated that they declined 75029 applications from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs because of inadequate resources like faculties and clinical sites. Major factors that contribute to the nurse faculty shortage include an increased rate of retirement in addition to the few nurses deciding to join nursing education to replace those retiring. There is an increased demand to fill the faculty positions opening in nursing institutions by attracting more nurses in the nursing education profession (Harris, 2019). This would, in turn, increase the qualified staff accepted into the nursing program. Furthermore, nursing educators should consider teaching approach that aids in increasing the number of learners accommodated.
The nurse school is not the only hindrance to entry into the career. In a survey of nursing institutions conducted by AACN (2018), participants reported a lack of clinical placement as the major hindrance to the expansion of the program’s capacity. The inadequate number of hospital and clinical placements means limited opportunities for new nurses to get practical experience. To resolve this issue, nursing education institutions and local health institutions should create programs that provide healthcare placement to nursing students. This ensures a constant supply of nursing workforce from the nursing schools and the health sector. Policymakers should incentivize industry stakeholders to participate in such programs to offset the potential risks and resources investment they may be required to make from recruiting relatively inexperienced nurses. In addition to developing a workforce supply channel, the training program ought to consider utilizing simulations to supplement nursing learners’ onsite experiences.
Maximization of licensure reciprocity
The licensure requirements across the states differ, hindering licensed individuals from practicing in regions in which they are not permitted. Nurses experience barriers that limit their ability to work in states where they are not licensed. Remarkably, this impact military spouses, with military families likely to relocate after every two to three years and, in most case, to different states. Increased reciprocity policies in which occupational license from one state is recognizable in other states would positively contribute to alleviating barriers while encouraging mobility across states. Participating in compacts enables reciprocity across the member states. The enhanced nursing licensure compact (eNLC) established in 2013 allowed registered nurses and licensed practicing nurses to possess a multistate license. This enables health professionals to practice in person or through telehealth in their home state, among other eNLC participating states. Licensing standards are streamlined in member states, which enables the nurses to apply for a multistate license. Presently, 34 states have passed the eNLC legislation.
Furthermore, the eNLC allows nurses to respond quickly to the demand for nursing services in different states during emergencies and regular times. Moreover, nurse educators possessing multistate licenses are permitted to teach in other states online in eNLC member states. However, this initiative’s success depends on support, including labor unions, which entails passing legislation. Furthermore, the task force and working group play an essential role in establishing the legitimacy of the eNLC. States facing challenges in enacting eNLC policy ought to consider changing their legislation at the licensing boards, thus allowing reciprocity of the licenses from other states.
Leverage high-quality evaluation as an option for some licensing requirement
States should streamline the licensing demands in addition to eNLC. This might contribute to certified individuals providing healthcare services into the workforce fast. Particularly, this is beneficial to nursing practitioners that have trained internationally. When nurse expatriates come to the US, they are required to follow expensive and lengthy procedures. Approximately 263,000 migrants with health-related certifications work in positions requiring lesser degrees than they possess, particularly in the healthcare sector. Since most occupations in healthcare settings necessitate professional licenses, relatively few immigrant healthcare professionals meet the requirement unless they get a US degree and complete the necessary postgraduate first. With the continued shortage of nursing practitioners, it is paramount to reduce the hindrances to joining the nursing workforce while making it easier for qualified personnel to provide nursing services. Skill-based evaluation could be leveraged, which provides an opportunity for professionals to demonstrate the necessary skillset. The assessment could serve as a proxy for education and experience demands that complement the person’s NCLEX performance. For instance, clinical skills could be evaluated via simulations. Furthermore, such evaluations can be coupled with a more lenient demonstration of degree and equivalency requirements.
Improve nursing retention rates while reducing turnover rates
Nurse managers should focus on retaining nurses. Several factors contributed to increased turnover rates, which include burnout, job stress, lack of social support, job dissatisfaction, low staff-to-patient ratios, and low pay (Heidari et al., 2017). Thus, retention can be improved through better working conditions and the creation of a supportive working environment. Furthermore, better salaries and on-time payments reduced workload, allowing providers to choose working times and shifts. Research suggests that intention to stay is positively correlated with increased job satisfaction and relationships with older providers and residents (Heidari et al., 2017).
Improving diversity in nursing students
Diversity is more than just race and gender. It comprises disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and religion, in addition to the difference in background, experiences, level of education, and ideologies. Diversity in nursing provides an opportunity for the providers to cultivate an awareness and comprehension of different beliefs and attitudes shared by various populations. Nurses care for patients with different backgrounds (Hughes et al., 2020). However, establishing positive communication and trust necessary for appropriate healthcare service for a diverse client population poses critical challenges. Therefore, nurses may better handle such situations if they share their patient’s background, providing the staff an opportunity to get insight into the client’s treatment preferences and decision-making process.
Additionally, awareness of the existing beliefs and values helps the nurse respond effectively, thus ensuring quality care delivery. Therefore, improving diversity among students is essential in preparing nurse students for the professional world of nursing. According to the American Association of Colleges, diversity in nursing helps in patient education and adherence to treatment procedures, increases patient satisfaction, enhances effective communication, and improves health outcomes. Furthermore, diversity positively impacts the innovative work environment in addition to improvement in interactions with the patients. This supports the development of the culturally competent care practice and aids providers in sharing information, thus providing an opportunity to adjust critical approaches to care.
In conclusion, the nursing shortage in America is a severe health issue that negatively impacts nurses and patients. The crisis will likely worsen if policymakers and other stakeholders fail to take necessary precautions. With fewer new nurses joining the nursing workforce, more awareness is needed to encourage more people to join the field. This can be achieved by introducing nursing programs in high school, where students can be educated about career in nursing. Furthermore, the program’s credit could be transferred into colleges. This is likely to encourage more students to join nursing professional, thus addressing the issue of nurse workforce supply. Additionally, it is important to reduce the nurse turnover rate, which is current very high. This is achieved by ensuring nurse retention through incentives like opportunities to advance careers. Furthermore, the stakeholders can ensure retention by reducing workplace stress, improved salaries and professional support. Other measures include financial support, a conducive and supportive working environment, improved salaries, improved diversity in both practice and education, financial aid, reciprocity of the licenses, and career support. Particularly, licensure reciprocity is crucial in ensuring that nurses can practice across states. With the advancement of telehealth, nurses from one states can monitor patients from other states, thus reducing workload. Therefore, policies supporting the strategy should be enacted. These strategies are critical in ensuring adequate nursing workforce supply while reducing the nurse turnover rate.

200k to 450k Nursing shortage in America by 2025 – What we need to do (2024)