Human resources in nursing: determining requirements and skills

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Nursing Management

Background:

• Global economic instability and debt servicing pressures necessitate fiscal austerity measures.
• Structural adjustment policies often target social sectors like health and education.
• These policies can significantly impact the delivery and quality of healthcare services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the effects of structural adjustment policies on health services.
• To examine the specific impacts on the nursing profession.
• To provide recommendations for nurses in human resource planning amidst these constraints.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of policy impacts.
• Review of health sector reforms and their consequences.
• Examination of nursing workforce challenges.

Main Results:

• Stringent fiscal policies have led to reduced funding and resources in the health sector.
• Nursing professionals face increased workloads and potential understaffing.
• The quality of patient care may be compromised due to resource limitations.

Conclusions:

• Structural adjustment policies pose significant challenges to health systems and nursing.
• Nurses require strategic approaches to human resource planning to mitigate negative impacts.
• Proactive planning is essential for maintaining effective healthcare delivery under economic constraints.