The Nursing Shortage

As a nursing student, I believe that one of the most serious issues we will have to face in the workforce is the dreary nursing shortage. I can safely say we have discussed this topic in all of my classes at one point or another throughout this semester. As future nurses we will not only have to care for the sick and the elderly that are presently in need, but also for an even larger population as the vast majority of the baby boomers are moving into retirement. This large group of people also includes a lot of nurses, burnt out nurses, who are going to depend on us to take over the workload. I believe that by the time we graduate, we are going to have our hands full. The skills that we are learning in our year one classes are very valuable, and I hope that everyone will carry them on to their clinical placements and future jobs, just as I hope to. Unfortunately, with the rapid decline in RNs and RPNs I can only hope that with the predicted workload we are able to give our patients the kind of care they need and deserve. Technology is taking over simple jobs for nurses, such as taking a patient’s blood pressure, that would provide the nurse and client a time to bond; however, if the shortage causes as much damage as is rumoured, then I find it very unfortunate that nurses will depend on such equipment, and perhaps machinery that is even more complex.