NURS FPX 8030 Assessment 1 Building the Case for Healthcare Improvement Internal Evidence

Internal research at our healthcare institution reveals consistent concerns about nurse job satisfaction across various practice areas, ages, and experience levels. While only 10% of surveyed nurses report satisfaction in their current roles, 36% would consider staying if specific improvements were implemented. Nurses have emphasized the need for job security, better working conditions, and higher salaries. The nursing workload has increased, and the number of resources available has decreased. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, ICU nurse-to-patient ratios were typically 1:1 or 2:1, but now ratios have increased to 3:1 or 4:1, putting both patients and nurses at greater risk. Overburdened nurses are unable to provide adequate time and attention to each patient, which affects both nurse well-being and patient outcomes.

External Evidence

In the U.S., there are currently over 3.9 million registered nurses (RNs), and it is predicted that more than 500,000 RNs will retire by 2022 (Buddy et al., 2022). To meet the growing demand, an additional 1.1 million nurses will be needed. This increase is largely due to the replacement of retiring nurses. The percentage of RNs aged 55 to 64 who plan to retire or leave the profession has more than quadrupled from 2018 to 2020 (Pal et al., 2022). In addition, nursing schools are facing faculty shortages, challenges in arranging clinical placements, and strict state regulations, leading to a decline in student enrollment. These factors have made it difficult to train the next generation of nurses. Increasing nurse staffing levels has been shown to reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes (Buddy et al., 2022).

Organizational Priority for Intervention

When staffing levels are insufficient, nurses are forced to take on more tasks, which can compromise the quality of care. Nurses working longer hours are more prone to making errors, which negatively affects patient care. Studies show that negative perceptions of hospital care are closely linked to missed nursing treatments due to staffing shortages (Jarosinski et al., 2021). In understaffed hospitals, there are higher rates of in-hospital mortality, infections, postoperative complications, and patient falls.

Nurses experiencing fatigue or burnout may struggle to perform accurate and timely assessments. With fewer nurses available to handle both clinical and administrative tasks, patients requiring urgent care face longer waiting times. Furthermore, overburdened nurses may make serious medication errors (Jarosinski et al., 2021). Addressing staffing imbalances and promoting a balanced nurse-to-patient ratio can help alleviate these issues.

Quality Improvement Project

The nursing shortage is expected to worsen by 2030, with long-term consequences for the healthcare system (Jarosinski et al., 2021). The first step in addressing this issue is improving the working conditions for nurses. Many healthcare workers have been undervalued, and low morale can contribute to a toxic work culture. Recognizing and appreciating nurses’ efforts is essential to improving retention rates. Nurse executives must prioritize retention over recruitment, implementing strategies like reducing shift durations and overtime. Jarosinski et al. (2021) highlight the importance of increasing the number of nurse educators to help address the shortage. Retiring nurses could be a valuable resource in meeting the demand for educators, and technology could also play a crucial role in transforming healthcare education.

Outcomes

The “Principles for Nurse Staffing” document, created by the American Nurses Association (ANA), provides guidance on creating effective nurse staffing policies (Credland, 2021). Proper staffing standards are essential for ensuring that nurses can provide the best care possible. When there are sufficient nurses on duty, patients are less likely to experience confusion or extended hospital stays. Higher nurse-to-patient ratios improve care quality and lead to better patient outcomes. Credland (2021) asserts that adequate staffing enhances care coordination and collaboration, making healthcare delivery more efficient and effective.

References

Credland, N. (2021). ICU nursing shortage can no longer be ignored. Emergency Nurse, 29(1), 14-14. https://doi.org/10.7748/en.29.1.14.s12

Jarosinski, J. M., Seldomridge, L., Reid, T. P., & Willey, J. (2021). Nurse faculty shortage. Nurse Educator, 47(3), 151-155. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001139