One more time--solutions to the nursing shortage

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Workforce Studies

Background:

• The United States faces a persistent shortage of registered nurses (RNs).
• This recurring crisis impacts healthcare delivery nationwide.
• Previous efforts have often focused on recruitment rather than retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review factors contributing to the ongoing registered nurse shortage.
• To recommend effective and cost-efficient solutions for the RN crisis.
• To analyze the implications of employing agency RNs and foreign-educated RNs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of factors contributing to the RN shortage.
• Analysis of retention strategies versus recruitment strategies.
• Discussion of challenges associated with agency and foreign-educated RNs.

Main Results:

• Retention of existing registered nurses is presented as a more effective and less expensive solution than recruitment.
• The employment of agency RNs presents complex challenges.
• Recruiting foreign-educated RNs also involves significant considerations.

Conclusions:

• Prioritizing registered nurse retention is crucial for addressing the nationwide shortage.
• Strategic approaches are needed to manage agency and foreign-educated RNs effectively.
• A dual focus on retention and strategic international recruitment may be necessary.