Nursing Shortage In Health Care

be highly effective for improving clinical outcomes and reducing cost. Teaching methods that incorporate opportunities for interdisciplinary education and collaborative practice are required to prepare nurses for their unique professional role and to understand the role of other disciplines in the care of patients.

Nursing shortages have a negative impact on patient care and are costly to the health care industry. A significant nursing shortage exists today, particularly in acute and long-term care settings. It results from many factors.

The current shortage is judged to be deeper than past shortages and probably more resistant to short-term economic strategies that have worked before. However, as in the past, the current shortage will almost

Further, new clinical roles, the need for managerial and executive talent, the imperative to retain nurses in active practice over longer careers, and the desire by practicing nurses to move up the economic ladder lead to the demand for continuing education and career mobility and development. Schools of nursing have many of the core resources needed to deliver continuing professional education and can provide appropriate courses efficiently and effectively. Affiliation with schools by nurses in active practice may lead to an increase in enrollment for advanced degrees. Health care and health-related organizations may serve as institutional partners in sponsoring such program offerings, which would contribute to their relevance, increase participation, and lower costs.

Nursing research is an integral part of the scientific enterprise of improving the nation 's health. The growing body of nursing research provides a scientific basis for patient care and should be regularly used by the nation 's 2.5 million nurses. Most studies concern health behaviors, symptom management, and the improvement of patients ' and families ' experiences with illness, treatment, and disease prevention. Research

However, the challenges associated with advancing the research agenda in nursing are complex and varied. Schools of nursing are not sufficiently focused on the scholarship and science of nursing as top priorities, and, although graduate degrees in nursing have become more common, doctorally prepared nursing professionals are not being produced in large enough numbers to meet the growing need. In addition, there is a need for enhanced mentorship for new researchers to strengthen skills and capacity to conduct meaningful nursing research. Significant opportunities exist for schools of nursing, especially those affiliated with academic health centers, to address these challenges and enhance the research contributions of nursing