Nurses are vital to the healthcare field and the communities in which we serve. If a patient only needs to be assessed, diagnosed, and prescribed medicine, then they go to the doctor, but if they need to be cared for then they need a nurse! So, my dear nurse, you do matter!
Keywords:
Nursing, Education, Nursing School, Healthcare, Nursing Training, Careers, Medical Careers, Nursing Shortage
Statistics.
The Registered Nurse (RN) workforce is projected to increase with 195,400 nurses, growing from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2030. However, there is also a projected 203,000 RN openings expected each year, up to the year 2030. These openings are projected based on retiring nurses and nurses who will potentially exit the workforce (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022).
There are many other reasons for the increased demand for nurses as well.
- An aging population which means a greater need for medical care.
- Many nurses are retiring.
- Restricted nursing school enrollment due to shortage of nursing school faculty.
- Insufficient staffing in the healthcare setting.
The Nursing Role.
Nurses are responsible for a patient’s wellbeing. In addition to performing assessments and following physician orders, nurses must recognize any early signs of deterioration in the patient’s condition. Nurses must be aware of the patient’s emotional state, and be the liaison between the patient, their families, and the treatment team.
Let’s look at how much nurses matter in different settings, as followed:
Nursing in the Hospital.
Most nurses transition from nursing school to the hospital setting. Nurses receive training to assess, monitor, and care for patients. While a physician diagnoses a disease, or ailment, and prescribes a course of treatment, it is the nurse who is involved in the implementation of that treatment therapy. Nurses work closely with patients to ensure that the desired outcome is achieved and advocate for patients when this is not the case.
As a liaison between the patient and their family and the physician, nurses can oftentimes explain in simple terms what the doctor has diagnosed. With years of experience, nurses can also provide their knowledge in a way that comforts the patient and their families as well.
Nursing in the Community.
In underserved areas alone, most patients may receive their care from a primary nurse. Nurses serve the community through immunization clinics, mobile clinics, and health screenings. Nurses are an important part of the community. Many children would not be able to attend school without a school nurse. Community nursing is an invaluable role as health care costs continue to increase.
In emergency situations, nurses provide care in the prehospital setting. A flight nurse provides critical care while transporting patients in an aircraft. Nurses may also provide care to patients via ambulance transport, collaborating with emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
Home Health Nursing.
Home health nurses provide care in the patient’s home. The elderly can maintain their independence vs being forced to live in a nursing home. Nurses also play an important role in caring for children who cannot attend school and may require treatment at home.
Advanced Nursing.
The entire community benefits when nurses decide to advance in their nursing role. One issue with rising cost of healthcare is the lack of access to physicians, so my dear Nurse practitioner, CRNA, midwife, and other advanced care providers you matter too! This may also allow a hospital to reduce its costs by providing services that in the past were only offered by a physician. However, the advanced nurse practitioner typically works under the supervision of a physician and supervision levels vary by state.
The Conclusion of the Matter.
My dear nurse, you do matter! Whether you are already a nurse, interested in the nursing field, or debating on whether to take the next leap in your nursing career, you are invaluable to the communities in which you serve. Check out All One Nurse’s previous blog- There Are So Many Choices in Nursing! – All One Nurse for more details on the different types of nursing to keep you encouraged and hopefully dedicated to the nursing field.
Shenell Thompkins, RN, MSN
All One Nurse, Founder
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2022, October). Nursing Shortage Factsheet.
Retrieved from Nursing-Shortage-Factsheet.pdf (aacnnursing.org)