The nursing shortage and its impact on retention and recruitment

According to Nevidjon and Erickson (2001), 1.8 million nurses work primarily in hospital settings where the shortage is greatest, but the impact of the nursing shortage is also having major effects in all health care settings. This review looked at a few short- and long-term solutions that will need to be implemented to resolve the problem. Professional organizations, such as JCAHO and ANA, are joining forces to keep nursing shortage issues in the forefront. The government is keenly aware of the problem and is providing funds to address the nursing shortage. Even so, by now, it should be glaringly clear to the reader that there are no easy solutions. It will take the combined efforts of everyone to bring about a positive change for the future of the nursing profession.