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Reduce the nursing shortage: help inactive nurses return to work.
1Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
|October 16, 2004
Summary
Inactive registered nurses can return to practice through flexible, self-directed refresher courses. These programs address the nursing shortage by allowing nurses autonomy in scheduling study and clinical experiences, proving key to their return.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Workforce Development
Background:
- The nursing shortage is a critical issue in healthcare.
- Inactive registered nurses represent a potential solution to staffing challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a self-directed refresher course for inactive registered nurses.
- To identify key factors enabling inactive nurses to return to practice.
Main Methods:
- A refresher course was offered at Tennessee State University School of Nursing.
- A survey was administered to nurses who completed the course to gather feedback.
Main Results:
- The self-directed refresher course facilitated the return of inactive registered nurses.
- Flexible scheduling was identified as the primary factor enabling nurses to return to practice.
Conclusions:
- Self-directed refresher courses are a viable strategy to address the nursing shortage.
- Offering flexible scheduling options is crucial for re-engaging inactive nurses in the workforce.