Healthcare Traveler - June 2008 - (Page 6)

N E W S T R AV E L E R S C A N U S E In A Flash Nursing shortage could reach 500,000 by 2025 ix years ago, data from the Health Resources and Services Administration estimated a shortage of 810,000 nurses by 2020. Newly released research supported by Johnson & Johnson’s Campaign for Nursing’s Future now predicts the deficit will grow more slowly—to 285,000—then deepen to 500,000 in 2025. “We have reduced the magnitude of the future shortage hurricane from a Category 5 to a Category 3,” notes nurse economist Peter Buerhaus, PhD, RN, FAAN, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He adds that, if allowed to fully develop, the shortage would still cause unprecedented damage, crippling access, quality, and safety and causing care to be rationed. Presenting findings from several studies at The National Press Club on May 6, Dr. Buerhaus and colleagues S Karen Donelan, EdM, ScD; Beth Ulrich, EdD, RN, FACHE, FAAN; and Donna M. Nickitas, PhD, RN, CNAA, BC, addressed ways to combat the shortage. These included recruiting and retaining nurses, expanding creative funding for nursing education, and attracting more men and Hispanics into the profession. As Dr. Buerhaus stated, if the number of those selecting nursing careers doubled in each of these demographics, the nation could avoid the dire prognosis. Also discussed were RNs’ and the public’s perceptions of reasons behind the nursing shortage. In RNs’ minds, more career options for women edged out salary and benefits issues for the first time since 2002. Faculty shortages, undesirable hours, and a negative perception of the work environment rounded out the top five causal factors reported Gear & Gadgets C L E V E R T O O L S T H AT S I M P L I F Y T H E T R A V E L L I F E S T Y L E « EXERGEN TEMPORALSCANNER™ This temporal artery thermometer measures temperature with an easy, 2-second swipe across an infant’s forehead. Its accuracy is comparable to a rectal thermometer, but it’s gentle enough to not disturb a sleeping baby. Buy yours today for around $49.99 at Costco, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Toys R Us, or Babies R Us. » PERISCOPE® LED BOOK LIGHTS The Periscope® line of book lights in a book cover includes an LED light, book cover with inside pockets, and bookmark. Available for hardback or paperback books, the light is stored in the spine of the book cover, turns on when the arm is extended, and shuts off when the cover is closed. Starting at $34.95 at Barnes & Noble, it runs on three AA batteries and requires no cord or clips. 6 Healthcare Traveler June 2008 in 2006. With the exception of faculty shortages, which doubled from 2004, percentages decreased consistently from previous years, signifying that conditions are improving. In 2007, the general public—61% of whom believe there is a shortage—cited the main reasons as salary and benefits, a limited supply of faculty, difficult hours, poor working environments, and lack of respect for the profession. Growing public awareness is due, in part, to intensifying media coverage, from news to entertainment. Reports of RNs helping in disasters, in particular, have increased the general public’s respect for nursing, prompting individuals to describe nurses as “highly knowledgeable, qualified, and skilled.” The terms “care,” “caring,” “empathy,” “compassion,” and “caregiver” also ranked high on the public’s list and were second only to “professional” when nurses were asked to describe themselves. Indeed, nurse-patient interactions play a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of nurses. Those interested in pursuing nursing careers frequently site personal experiences with illness as their motivation. If this large number of candidates entered the profession, 1.8 million nurses would join the workforce. The authors of the study conclude that a national nursing workforce strategy is vital and that presidential candidates must address the nursing shortage now. In fact, many public voices are demanding a major reorganization of America’s healthcare delivery system. For more on this topic, read “Public Perception of Nursing Careers: The Influence of the Media and Nursing Shortages” in the May-June issue of Nursing Economic$. www.healthcaretraveler.com http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - June 2008

Healthcare Traveler - June 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes You Said It Cover Story: Day Trippin' A Matter of Choice Clinical Highlights Drug Update When In... On Assignment Name It Advertisers' Index Travel Tips Tax Facts Big Deals Contest Rules Going the Distance Starter's Kit Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.