The healthcare industries in many countries are being stretched beyond their limits, with staff shortages causing problems for healthcare facilities and patients. These problems range from poor healthcare and longer wait times to higher in-hospital mortality rates. The issue has become so bad that the World Health Organization has called on countries to invest more in educating more nurses. The WHO says we need six million additional nurses by 2030 to ensure everyone can get the healthcare services they deserve. Understanding that there is a nursing shortage and a high demand for nurses, let’s examine why this is the case.
An Aging Population
The world’s population is aging. According to Harvard Business Review, the number of people aged 70 and above increased from 5% to 12% of the global population in the last decade. Such a large number of older people will need preventative care and treatment for existing and emerging conditions. It will undoubtedly put more strain on the healthcare industry while also increasing the demand for various healthcare professionals, including nurses.
As the healthcare industry reacts and prepares by building more facilities, additional effort should be put into educating the nurses and professionals who will provide the required services in them.
A Changing Healthcare Industry
Technological advancements and new requirements are leading to a healthcare industry that looks very different from what it did a decade or two ago. This evolution is not only calling for more nurses but highly trained ones who can deal with the challenges and technological advancements in the modern healthcare system.
One problem making the situation more challenging is the number of registered nurses who possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The number of nurses with these degrees has to increase to meet current and future demand. The good news is that registered nurses can enroll in online RN to BSN programs that will not only arm them with the skills the modern healthcare system demands but also help them stand out upon graduation.
Specialization is Becoming the Norm
Specialized nurses are becoming more common and in high demand worldwide. Examples of specific titles and positions in high demand include certified nurse anesthetics, nurse practitioners, certified dialysis nurses, and certified case managers. For exciting opportunities in specialized nursing, consider exploring opportunities through reputable travel nursing agencies, such as Medical Solutions, that cater to diverse healthcare needs.
Since a significant number of nurses are entering these specialized roles, fewer general registered nurses who work with all kinds of patients are left. If we increase the overall number of nurses, we will have a higher number of general and specialist nurses, which is the best outcome for everyone involved.
Nurses are Leaving the Profession
As the population ages, many more nurses are retiring, leaving gaps that need to be filled by qualified nurses. We need more nurses to fill these positions. An additional reason they are leaving is burnout. As a global nursing shortage persists, nurses have to work more hours and attend to more patients. Increased stress and job dissatisfaction caused by the strain they feel are also related to the burnout many nurses are experiencing.
The world is in dire need of highly trained nurses. There are several reasons for this, including a changing healthcare industry, many more nurses leaving, and an aging population. With such a high demand for nurses, there has never been a better time to become one.