It’s no secret that the demand for nurses is rising around the world, but what’s causing it? Over the past two years, the COVID19 pandemic has put a lot of strain and stress on healthcare systems worldwide. It’s become clear to see just how big the issue has become when it comes to the shortage of nurses in the US in particular. Reports suggest that there are simply not enough working nurses in the United States to meet the rising demands of the healthcare industry, and this was from pre-COVID19 times. In 2018, research was carried out by the World Health Organization that concluded that around the world, healthcare needs a further six million nurses on average for healthcare systems to work at their most efficient. Over the past few years, the US has seen one of the worst nursing shortages in decades, with career openings for nurses expected to rise into the millions over the next ten years.
So, what’s driving the growing demand for nurses? The shortage of nurses has been brought about by a number of different reasons. One of the main reasons is the fact that the population is getting older. With more elderly and senior people in the population these days, there is an increasing demand on healthcare that has naturally led to a need for more nurses. Along with this, nurses themselves are also aging, and more nurses are getting to retirement age and leaving their careers. Another main issue behind the nursing shortage and the high demand for nurses is that the US is currently dealing with a shortage of nurse educators. Colleges and nursing schools often find themselves in a position where they are turning away applicants just because they do not have the staff levels to provide the education, which is ultimately keeping new nurses from getting into this profession. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest reasons behind the shortage of nurses and growing demand.
Ageing Population
With people now enjoying longer lives due to the various advancements in healthcare over the years, the US population is getting older, with more demands put on the healthcare system as seniors are more likely to require ongoing healthcare compared to younger people. Along with this, the birth rate is also declining, resulting in a population that has a higher percentage of older people compared to in the past. Within the next few years, it’s expected that around 45% of the population will be seniors, compared to fewer under-eighteens. Although most people are happy about the idea of living longer lives, one of the biggest reasons behind the mass shortage of nurses is the fact that we are living longer.
Shortage of Nurse Educators
Another direct link to the shortage of nurses and the growing demand for nurses today is the nurse educator shortage. If you are interested in getting into a career in nursing education, click here to find out more about online DNP programs to prepare you for this senior role. When getting an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing, students need advanced, experienced nurses with educator credentials to provide their education. However, with a lack of these professionals available in nursing schools and colleges around the country, the demand for new nurses is not being met. Research suggests that the nursing shortage is not caused by a lack of people who want to get into nursing – in fact, there are thousands of applicants each year to nursing schools and colleges from people who feel called to this career. However, smaller numbers of nurse educators mean that only certain numbers of students can be taken on, which is currently not enough to keep up with the growing demand.
Retirement
While the general population is also getting older, nurses are also aging, and many are nearing retirement age. In addition to this, many nurses will also retire earlier than people in other professions since they struggle to keep up with the mental and physical demands of the job as they get older. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing puts the average age of a nurse in the US at around 50 years of age. Although fifty might not be the typical retirement age in most careers, for nurses, this is usually around the time that they might start thinking about retiring or moving into a slower-paced kind of work for health reasons.
Nursing Burnout and Overwork
Right now, another problem is causing the demand for new nurses to rise even more and worsening the nursing shortage. The COVID19 pandemic was tough on all healthcare professionals, particularly nurses who throughout the pandemic worked long hours in full PPE and were on the front line, putting their own health and wellness at risk. At the worst parts of the pandemic, nurses were often isolated from family and friends for fear of spreading the virus, with many even living in hotels and temporary accommodation away from their loved ones and children. Understandably, living and working through a pandemic as a nurse, at a time where there is a national nursing shortage has led to many nurses rethinking their choices. Feeling overworked and burned out, many nurses are considering or have already left this profession. While some might be prepared to return once the nursing shortage is no longer as severe, others may no longer feel that this is their calling.
What Types of Nurses are Most in Demand?
Working in any type of nursing profession is both rewarding and demanding at the same time. Due to the above reasons, the demand for nurses in every area is already high and expected to rise by around 25% in the next few years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The demand for some nursing professions is even higher, depending on the specialty. Some of the most in-demand nursing roles include:
Registered Nurse
The demand for registered nurses is always high. Registered nurses can work in many areas of general healthcare. Daily responsibilities include maintaining accurate and detailed patient records, helping to analyze results, recording patient observations, administering treatments, and providing patient education and counseling about injuries or illnesses.
Nurse Anesthetist
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is responsible for handling the entire procedure of administering anesthesia by choosing the dosage and technique used. They are also responsible for monitoring the vital functions of patients. Since this career requires a lot of skill and precision, nurse anesthetists are required to spend more time in education compared to other nurses. They are responsible for identifying risks, communication with patients before and after the procedure, calculating medication doses, and assessing patient responsiveness to the medication.
Nurse Practitioner
An advanced nursing role that is in very high demand right now is that of a nurse practitioner. To become a nurse practitioner, registered nurses are required to get an MSN degree or alternative nurse practitioner training that usually takes between two or three years to complete. Nurse practitioners have more autonomy in comparison to registered nurses, including the ability to run their own medical clinics and practices without being supervised by a medical doctor. Due to the shortage of primary care physicians in the US, nurse practitioners are stepping in to fill this role and provide primary care. They are responsible for maintaining patient histories, diagnosing medical conditions, ordering tests and assessing results, managing patients with chronic health issues, and prescribing medication.
Psychiatric Nurse
As mental health is more spoken about and both the public and the healthcare industry realize the importance of good mental and psychiatric healthcare, the demand for psychiatric nurses is also rising. Psychiatric nurses work exclusively with patients who are suffering from mental health conditions like depression, generalized anxiety disorder, emotionally unstable personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more. They are also typically responsible for the care of patients who are struggling with addiction or substance abuse issues, and work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings.
Pediatric Nurse
Despite the lower birth rate and the aging population, there is still a demand for nurses who are trained specifically to work with children. To work in this role, you will need either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing along with a Certified Pediatric Nurse Certification. These nurses work and interact with children and teenagers who need healthcare or medical treatment. They are responsible for providing direct support to their patients, communicating with the patient’s family about any care and treatments that are required, working together with pediatricians, and administering medication and treatment to their patients. Pediatric nurses work in a range of different healthcare settings including hospitals, ambulatory care centers, private practices, and children’s nursing homes.
There’s never been a better time to get into nursing than right now. With a very high demand for registered nurses and nurses who are trained in various specialty areas, finding work as a nurse is not difficult. With an aging population that requires more care and nurses either retiring or changing their careers after COVID19, the healthcare industry needs new, motivated nurses to take over and make a difference.
