Jim Canto - medXcentral on 2009-09-18T16:51:14.793Z

Latest data: #Nurse Faculty Shortage | Got a solution in mind? | #nurses #hcr #hospital

Today, while reviewing news through my Google Reader, I came upon the latest date regarding the Nursing Shortage and, more importantly, the Nurse Faculty Shortage. Here's a clip from the article (I'll add my thoughts and comments below the clip.):

..."Though AACN is pleased to see a lower faculty vacancy rate this year, we fully expect the shortage of nurse educators to re-emerge when the U.S. economy rallies and faculty retirement patterns resume," said AACN President Fay Raines.
"Over the next 15 years, workforce analysts project that the nation`s nursing
shortage will grow twice as large as any shortage experienced in this country
since the mid-1960s, and this will no doubt impact the supply of nurse faculty."
See the data and read full article here

Here's what I have to say and ask:

We have a lot of talk about "Change" and "Reform" in America right now. And, I'm all for Change and Reform when a system is not fair and is otherwise broken. Nursing, and the ability to create new nurses, is one of those systems...and I'm on a mission to contribute solutions...real solutions that do not require Government intervention (but I'll leave that for another time.)

Speaking of reform; Let's assume health care reform finally takes shape. If the above clip is true, and I'm one who believes it is, where the heck are we going to get the workforce (not just physicians) to handle all the folks sitting at home wishing they could get care for their ailments? Including me, there are four of those folks in my immediate circle of influence.

This is a real problem and opportunity seems to be upon us right now! The economic downturn has provided some relief within the nursing shortage as well as the nurse faculty shortage (as evident in the article referenced.) So, what can we do, NOW, without asking the Government for money, to help increase our capacity to educate more nurses?

I'm on a mission to solve this problem and I'm working on a solution. However, when it's ready, it is only one mechanism. And, I assure you it is not a "silver bullet." We need more ideas on the table. And, there's a LOT of brain-power within the world of Health Care Social Media. Please reply with your feedback. Here's the question again:

What can we do, NOW, without asking Government for money, to help increase capacity to educate nurses?

Please and thank you.

Kim Bunker on 2008-12-08T00:33:02.004Z

Hospitals cutting positions.. new opportunity for nurses

Here's a radical but very doable thought. With the economic crunch our typically safe industry is experiencing cuts as well. Support staff positions are being cut. I have not heard nor am I concerned that licensed RN's are next to on the block. I do think that this is a GREAT opportunity for individual practioners to leverage the industry need for our professional benefit (yes I am a capitalist). The need of the organizations is to save money and lower costs. We ( RN's) could suggest that all RN's in an organization be PRN staff, No benefits, no RN employee's would translate to alot of saved dollars. We as the RN's can pick our times, our hours, get benefits on our own and be almost is a consultant capacity for whatever institution. We have the opporutnity to develop the profession to another level by recognizing our inherent value. Of course I recognize the devil is in the details but just start thinking out of the employee box and see what you can negotiate.