Nurse Staffing Issues

Nurse staffing refers to the ratio of nurses to patients in a particular unit. Generally, one nurse can be responsible for the care of between one and eight patients at a time. There is no standard formula to determine staffing ratios as it depends on a combination of a nurse's experience and patients' acuity. Unfortunately, in practice, it is often determined by other factors. At some institutions, the number of nurses is only a percentage of what is actually needed.

Layoffs

• A number of factors have resulted in increased layoffs. Certain health care reforms have resulted in reduced income from medical reimbursements. Simultaneously, advances in technology and medicine have increased treatment options, creating a higher demand for services. The recent Great Recession has placed additional financial pressure on many health care institutions. One common way to cut expenses has been to lay off workers. These layoffs result in increased workload for remaining staff, often reducing staffing ratios significantly. These shortages can pose a risk to the well being of both staff and patients.

Fatigue, Burnout and Resignations

• Fatigue, burnout, and resignations negatively affect staffing as well. Staffing shortages may lead management to pressure staff nurses to work extra shifts or to perform additional tasks outside of their normal duties. The extra shifts and responsibilities can lead to fatigue, stress, increased sick leave and eventually burnout and resignations. All of these factors place additional stress on other staff members, resulting in further degradation of patient care.

Insufficient New Nurses

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that from 2008 to 2018, the nursing profession will grow 22%. An aging population, medical advances, and an emphasis on preventive care all indicate an increase in demand for nursing services. Although nursing schools have struggled to produce enough graduates to satisfy demand, the number of nurses in the workforce has increased in recent years. Many nurses over the age of 50 years old who had previously left the profession, returned during the Great Recession. Another factor is foreign-educated nurses, who are able to fill vacancies at institutions that sponsor them. However, despite recent trends, the amount of nurses entering the profession is insufficient and this continues to affect staffing ratios.