It comes as no surprise that massive changes continue to transform the healthcare world and nursing industry. Regular technology advancements make the practice of nursing more modern and effective. At the same time, the growth of telehealth also influences how nurses and other medical professionals provide patient care.
Of course, the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic and an acute nursing shortage still resonate throughout the medical world. Understanding the impacts of these changes informs your organization’s planning when it comes to recruiting nurses. Here is a high-level overview of the changing state of nurse staffing both now and in the future.
Expect The Nursing Shortage to Continue
An aging demographic combined with the continued recovery from COVID-19 keeps the nursing shortage at a historical high. Because of this scenario, healthcare employers must focus on retaining their current nursing staff. Providing flexible work options and a strong professional development program definitely helps in this effort.
Also optimize your staffing process to improve your chances of hiring talented nurses. Notably, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 6 percent growth rate in nursing jobs through 2031. This illustrates the continued strong demand for nursing candidates throughout the decade. Make sure your organization’s staffing plans take this into account.
Telehealth Grows in Popularity
In addition to the nursing shortage, technological advancements also impact the state of nurse staffing throughout the healthcare world. One obvious area of growth remains telehealth, which provides access to healthcare to patients in rural underserved regions. Consider hiring more APRNs as nurse practitioners to offer telehealth services to a larger group of patients.
Pay Close Attention to Stress Levels Among Your Nurses
Nurses suffering from high stress levels remains one of the major factors in the current nursing shortage. A recent nursing survey notes about one-third plan on leaving the field, with the recent pandemic driving their decision. As such, healthcare employers must take a proactive approach to reducing stress among their staff.
Still, during a nursing shortage it becomes more difficult to reduce hours while still providing top-shelf patient care. Offering flexible scheduling and increasing bonus amounts definitely
helps. As noted earlier, a robust professional training program lets nurses improve their skills and qualify for additional responsibility. Helping nursing assistants become LPNs also increases the size and talent level of your staff.
If you need help combating the nursing shortage, connect with the talent experts at CHN Health Care Group. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in New England, we provide talented candidates to add to your staff. Schedule a meeting with us to discuss your current and future hiring plans.