| Despite challenges resulting from a worsening
national nursing shortage that has strained nurses in their efforts
to care for their patients, most nurses say they are satisfied with
their jobs and would recommend their profession to others, according
to a landmark study jointly sponsored by NurseWeek magazine and the
American Organization of Nurse Executives.
Results of the scientific study, conducted by Harris Interactive
for NurseWeek and AONE's Institute for Patient Care Research and
Education, suggest that the nursing shortage is no longer limited
to certain geographic regions and nursing practice specialties.
Indeed, 88 percent reported that in their communities the supply
of nurses falls short of demand. Seven of 10 nurses working in hospital
settings said that during the past year they had witnessed a negative
impact on the quality of patient care as a result of a greater number
of patients per nurse and higher turnover among experienced RNs.
More than 4,000 registered nurses from all 50 states participated
in the research study that is being presented at the AONE annual
meeting in Orlando, Fla., April 6-10.
Eighty-nine percent of the RNs working in hospitals said the nursing
shortage has reduced the amount of time nurses have to devote to
each of their patients, and 76 percent said the shortage has had
a negative impact on the quality of patient care provided by nurses.
Despite the alarming trends, 77 percent of the nurses in the scientific
sampling said they are satisfied with being a nurse, and 60 percent
said they remain satisfied with their jobs and would recommend their
profession as a career choice, a finding that counters some recent
reports portraying nurses as so unhappy they would advise young
people to choose another profession.
"The results of this survey show that nurses truly love their
profession but are finding it increasingly difficult to provide
the patient care they feel is needed," said Mary A. Blegen,
RN, Ph.D., FAAN, professor and interim associate dean for research
at the School of Nursing, University of Colorado Health Science
Center. Blegen was part of a blue-ribbon advisory team assembled
to produce a research study that would provide objective data about
workforce trends and identify possible steps that might be taken
to address the shortage in the years ahead.
RNs who plan to leave the profession within the next three years
account for 14 percent of the current nursing work force, according
to the study. About 10 percent of the nursing work force plans to
pursue jobs in another profession.
But 58 percent said higher salary or benefits would "very
likely" cause them to reconsider, while 50 percent said better
staffing and 48 percent said more respect from management would
very likely cause them to reconsider.
"This study provides us with a snapshot of opinion from nurses
across the country, said Pamela Thompson, AONE's chief executive
officer. "It is vitally important that we listen to what they
have to tell us and to work with them to create healthy work environments."
NurseWeek President Dennis Riordan said he hopes the research study
provides helpful and reliable data for health care planners and
policymakers working to address the nursing shortage. "We believe
there is a critical need to better understand what nurses are thinking
and feeling in regards to their workplace and careers," Riordan
said. "Finding solutions to the shortage is critically important
for the future health and well being of every American."
Deloras Jones, MS, RN, who headed the research advisory team for
NurseWeek and AONE, said the study provides planners and policymakers
with objective, unbiased data they have not had before. "It's
valuable information for workforce planning and for organizational
change, for those organizations that want to make a difference,"
Jones said..."Are we wise enough to listen to the voices of
America's nurses and make the changes to make a difference?"
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