The healthcare industry has had a particularly rough existence in the last three years. Specifically, the Covid-19 pandemic had a revealing effect that exposed numerous problems within the system. In addition to increasing drug and medical supply costs, one of the more alarming problems is the staffing issues that were created after waves of professionals began leaving the industry and the cost it created for hospitals and care centers.
The staffing shortages in the healthcare system have had a significant impact on patient care. When there are not enough healthcare professionals to meet the demand for services, patients may experience longer wait times, delayed treatment, and lower-quality care. This can lead to increased morbidity and mortality
…show more content…
An aging baby boomer population has increased demand for healthcare services, placing pressure on our facilities. More patients require more people to care for them. Professionals in this industry were already observed to have a high turnover rate, but according to a study analyzing front line staff leaving their careers in 2021, there was a 27.1% uptick with RNs, 35.5% with certified nurse assistants, and 25.3% respiratory therapists (Turnover in Health Care: Why Health Care Worker Satisfaction Matters, n.d.). With the supply of nurses leaving from stress and burnout, the demand naturally skyrockets. With fewer experienced nurses in reserves, cost of staffing begins to rise as managers are forced to pay out heavy overtime and scramble to hire temporary travelers at a high …show more content…
One solution is to increase the number of healthcare professionals in the workforce. This can be achieved by increasing funding for healthcare education programs and providing incentives for healthcare professionals to enter the field. It may also prove successful in the long run for hospitals to recruit newly graduated candidates and implement nurse residency programs. These programs help reduce turnover, which is costly to hospitals because they can spend a lot of money on one individual nurse to train, only for that nurse to decide their new career was a mistake. “Nurse residency programs help new graduates transition from an academic environment to clinical practice” and focus on areas of “professional development, patient outcomes and nursing leadership” (Morris, 2023). Another solution is to improve working conditions for healthcare professionals. This can be achieved by implementing programs to reduce burnout, providing support for mental health, and increasing job satisfaction. Healthcare organizations can also invest in technology to improve efficiency and reduce