The change in values that drives the nursing shortage

In the 21st century we are eagerly trying to recruit candidates into the nursing profession in order to provide safe care to patients and address the national nursing shortage. There are fewer and fewer individuals who retain the value of helping others for purely altruistic reasons. It is only when a recruitment and retention plan is tied to the values and motivators of the modern employee that health care agencies can hope to address the shortages in staffing. Providing motivation for a nursing care giving role which is physically difficult, psychologically draining, and frequently demanding time beyond the 8 hours of a shift, requires a consideration of the values held by 21st century adults. Nevertheless, when values held by the modern day job seeker are considered enticing strategies can be designed and can lead to job satisfaction and stability among employees. As employees realize that LPNs fill vital roles in the health care team and can assist in responding to RN vacancies, it is essential that employers of LPNs be fully cognizant of values that are prevalent in our society and respond to these values in terms of agency recruitment and retention policy.