NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

Name

Capella university

NHS-FPX 6008 Economics and Decision Making in Health Care

Prof. Name

Date

Summary of the Economic Issues of Nursing Staff Shortages

The economic issue of nursing staff shortages significantly affects various facets of work, organization, colleagues, and the community. As a nursing student, I directly witness the consequences of staff shortages, including increased workloads, longer shifts, heightened stress levels, and challenges in providing comprehensive patient care. This results in fatigue and potential compromise in patient care quality, contributing to frustration and burnout among nursing staff, affecting their overall well-being and job satisfaction (Tamata & Mohammadnezhad, 2022).

Nursing staff shortages also affect organizational operations by increasing turnover rates and recruitment difficulties, resulting in financial strain and potential penalties for non-compliance with staffing regulations. The impact extends to colleagues who experience higher workloads, burnout, and dissatisfaction, leading to decreased morale and potential compromises in patient care (Winter et al., 2020). In turn, the shortage affects the community, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by limiting access to timely healthcare services, exacerbating existing health inequities, and impeding efforts to improve community health (Shamsi & Peyravi, 2020).

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

Personal experiences, professional insights, and a commitment to equitable healthcare drive the rationale for pursuing this issue. Clinical observations, conversations with colleagues, and mentor discussions underscore the urgency of addressing staffing challenges. Ensuring every patient receives safe and high-quality care reinforces the importance of tackling these issues. One crucial gap contributing to nursing staff shortages is the mismatch between healthcare workforce demand and supply. Variability in daily staffing levels and nurse burnout exacerbate the issue. Addressing this gap requires investment in workforce development, training, and retention strategies tailored to meet evolving healthcare needs and demographics (Wyk & Nankoo, 2023).

Analyzing the effects of financial and economic factors, nursing staff shortages lead to increased operational costs for healthcare organizations due to recruitment and retention challenges. Failure to comply with staffing regulations may result in financial penalties. Despite the economic or financial risks, investment in workforce development and retention strategies yields long-term benefits regarding improved patient outcomes and organizational efficiency. Thus, addressing nursing staff shortages is crucial for enhancing patient care, organizational sustainability, and community health (Winter et al., 2020).

Diversity Disparities or Socioeconomic 

The economic issue of nursing staff shortages exacerbates existing socioeconomic and diversity disparities, impacting vulnerable populations such as those in rural and underserved areas and minority communities. Due to staffing challenges, research indicates that rural hospitals and clinics need help recruiting and retaining nursing professionals. This shortage disproportionately affects rural and underserved populations, limiting their access to quality healthcare services (Hines et al., 2020).

Minority communities, including African American, Hispanic, and Indigenous populations, are disproportionately affected by healthcare disparities. Minority nurses represent only a tiny percentage of the nursing workforce, exacerbating disparities in health outcomes and access to care for minority patients. The underrepresentation of minority nurses contributes to cultural and linguistic barriers that hinder effective care delivery, further widening disparities (Fowler, 2020).

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

Healthcare organizations must implement ethical and culturally equitable solutions to address these disparities. This could involve targeted recruitment efforts to attract nurses from diverse backgrounds to work in underserved areas. Implementing cultural competency training programs for healthcare providers has improved patient satisfaction and outcomes among minority populations. Additionally, offering financial incentives such as loan repayment programs or scholarships for nursing students from underrepresented communities can help address workforce shortages while promoting diversity in nursing (Esu et al., 2021).

Moreover, organizations should prioritize community engagement and collaboration to tailor healthcare services to the unique needs of underserved populations. For example, community health worker programs have effectively improved healthcare access and outcomes among minority populations (Patel et al., 2024). By implementing these strategies, healthcare organizations can work towards mitigating socioeconomic and diversity disparities exacerbated by nursing staff shortages.

Evidence-Based Sources Nursing Staff Shortages

Addressing nursing staff shortages in healthcare settings is imperative due to its profound impact on patient care quality and safety. Research illustrates the correlation between staffing levels and patient outcomes. Their study found a significant increase in patient mortality rates associated with higher nurse-patient ratios in hospital units, highlighting the adverse effects of staffing shortages on patient health. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of adequate nurse staffing in ensuring optimal patient care and reducing adverse events (Assaye et al., 2020).

Another investigation into staffing shortages in nursing homes reveals concerning findings regarding daily staffing levels. Their research indicates variability in staffing levels, often falling short of regulatory standards. This shortfall in staffing poses challenges in maintaining quality care and increases the likelihood of errors and adverse events, further underscoring the urgency of addressing staffing deficiencies. Furthermore, their study emphasizes the need for robust workforce management strategies to lessen the impact of staffing shortages on care quality and patient safety (Xu et al., 2020).

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

A systematic review, consistent with the 2018 NSSRN data, examines nurse burnout exacerbated by staffing shortages. It highlights adverse effects like high nurse-patient ratios and increased workloads on well-being and care quality, echoing concerns in the article. The review emphasizes the interconnectedness of staffing deficiencies, burnout, and compromised outcomes, aligning with NSSRN findings. Additionally, it underscores economic costs such as elevated turnover rates and diminished performance, as observed in nurses leaving due to burnout (Shah et al., 2021).

Research on interventions for improving the attraction and retention of health workers in rural and underserved areas to mitigate staff shortage. Despite interventions such as educational programs, regulatory measures, and financial incentives, more evidence of their effectiveness is still needed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The studies highlight healthcare access and quality disparities due to staffing shortages in underserved communities. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of community engagement and collaboration in developing sustainable solutions to nursing workforce challenges in rural areas.

Addressing these challenges through targeted interventions tailored to rural healthcare facilities is crucial for mitigating staffing shortages, improving healthcare equity, and ensuring quality care for underserved populations (Esu et al., 2021). These studies’ qualitative and quantitative information guides economic decision-making by providing a robust evidence base for stakeholders and colleagues. Quantitative data highlights increased patient mortality rates, staffing shortfalls in nursing homes, and economic costs due to nurse turnover and burnout. Qualitative data reveals challenges in care quality, adverse effects on nurses, and the importance of community collaboration for practical solutions, especially in rural areas.

Opportunities and Predicted Outcomes 

The proposed plan to address nursing staff shortages presents a transformative opportunity for healthcare organizations, promising positive outcomes and growth prospects, mainly focusing on economic considerations. Organizations can anticipate reduced turnover rates by implementing targeted initiatives such as workforce development and retention programs, leading to significant cost savings in recruitment and training and fostering a more stable and productive workforce (Williamson et al., 2022).

Moreover, addressing staffing shortages is projected to yield profound improvements in patient outcomes. Research studies demonstrate a clear correlation between adequate staffing levels and positive patient outcomes, including reduced mortality rates and enhanced care quality. Organizations improve patient health outcomes by ensuring sufficient staffing levels and mitigating healthcare costs, resulting in substantial economic benefits (Dall’Ora et al., 2022).

Ethical and culturally equitable approaches are integral components of the proposed plan. Targeted recruitment efforts to attract nurses from diverse backgrounds can foster workforce diversity and cultural competence, enhancing patient care quality and promoting health equity. Additionally, cultural competency training and community engagement programs contribute to the organization’s reputation as a socially responsible healthcare provider, attracting patients and stakeholders and bolstering its economic standing (Kamau et al., 2022). Advocacy for policy reforms represents another critical aspect of the proposed plan. Organizations can influence healthcare policy and funding priorities by engaging in policy advocacy to support workforce development and staffing initiatives. This can increase government funding and grants for workforce development programs, enhancing the organization’s financial resources and capacity to provide quality care (Chiu et al., 2021).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the assessment highlights the multifaceted economic challenges of nursing staff shortages, ranging from increased operational costs and financial strain to adverse patient outcomes and workforce burnout. However, amidst these challenges lie significant opportunities for healthcare organizations to enact transformative change. Organizations can address staffing shortages by implementing cost-saving initiatives, improving patient outcomes through adequate staffing, fostering workforce diversity, engaging communities, and advocating for policy reforms while promoting economic sustainability and equitable healthcare delivery. Embracing these opportunities benefits patients and staff and enhances the organization’s reputation and financial standing, reinforcing its commitment to quality care and social responsibility.

References

Assaye, A. M., Wiechula, R., Schultz, T. J., & Feo, R. (2020). The impact of nurse staffing on patient and nurse workforce outcomes in acute care settings in low- and middle-income countries. JBI Evidence Synthesis, Publish Ahead of Print(4). https://doi.org/10.11124/jbisrir-d-19-00426 

Chiu, P., Cummings, G. G., Thorne, S., & Makaroff, K. S. (2021). Policy advocacy and nursing organizations: A scoping review. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22(4), 276–296. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544211050611 

Dall’Ora, C., Saville, C., Rubbo, B., Turner, L., Jones, J., & Griffiths, P. (2022). Nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 134. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748922001407  

Esu, E. B., Chibuzor, M., Aquaisua, E., Udoh, E., Sam, O., Okoroafor, S., Ongom, M., Effa, E., Oyo-ita, A., & Meremikwu, M. (2021). Interventions for improving attraction and retention of health workers in rural and underserved areas: A systematic review of systematic reviews. Journal of Public Health, 43(Supplement_1), i54–i66. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa235 

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

Fowler, B. A. (2020). Facilitators and barriers to leadership and career opportunities in minority nurses in public health departments. Public Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.12800 

Hines, S., Wakerman, J., Carey, T. A., Russell, D., & Humphreys, J. (2020). Retention strategies and interventions for health workers in rural and remote areas. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 18(1), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.11124/jbisrir-2017-004009 

Kamau, S., Koskenranta, M., Kuivila, H., Oikarainen, A., Tomietto, M., Juntunen, J., Tuomikoski, A.-M., & Mikkonen, K. (2022). Integration strategies and models to support transition and adaptation of culturally and linguistically diverse nursing staff into healthcare environments: An umbrella review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 136, 104377. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748922002061  

Patel, M. I., Kapphahn, K., Wood, E., Coker, T., Salava, D., Riley, A., & Krajcinovic, I. (2024). Effect of a community health worker–led intervention among low-income and minoritized patients with cancer: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(5), 518–528. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.00309 

Shah, M. K., Gandrakota, N., Cimiotti, J. P., Ghose, N., Moore, M., & Ali, M. K. (2021). Prevalence of and factors associated with nurse burnout in the US. JAMA Network Open, 4(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.36469  

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

Shamsi, A., & Peyravi, H. (2020). Nursing shortage, a different challenge in Iran: A systematic review. Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 34(8), 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7139261/  

Tamata, A. T., & Mohammadnezhad, M. (2022). A systematic review study on the factors affecting shortage of nursing workforce in the hospitals. Nursing Open, 10(3), 1247–1257. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1434 

Williamson, L., Burog, W., & Taylor, R. M. (2022). A scoping review of strategies used to recruit and retain nurses in the healthcare workforce. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(7). https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13786 

Winter, V., Schreyögg, J., & Thiel, A. (2020). Hospital staff shortages: Environmental and organizational determinants and implications for patient satisfaction. Health Policy, 124(4), 380–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.01.001 

Wyk, V., & Nankoo, S. (2023). The effect of nurse shortages on healthcare at a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Etd.cput.ac.za. https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3946 

Xu, H., Intrator, O., & Bowblis, J. R. (2020). Shortages of staff in nursing homes during COVID-19 pandemic: What are the driving factors? Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2020.08.002