A Problem In Nursing At This Current Time Frame Is The Lack

A Problem In Nursing At This Current Time Frame Is The Lack Of Persona

A problem in nursing at this current time frame is the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Rowan (2020), “there is growing international concern regarding the shortage in supply chain of critical one-time-use personal and protective equipment (PPE).” This issue significantly impacts the nursing profession, where nurses are risking their lives to care for patients without adequate PPE—such as N95 masks, face shields, gloves, protective gowns, and sometimes shoe covers. Due to supply shortages, many employers are requiring staff to reuse PPE, which increases the risk of infection. The economic challenge of supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic is a critical area for research, aiming to understand the scope and impact of PPE shortages on healthcare workers.

This problem warrants an investigation into how PPE shortages and reuse contribute to infection rates among nurses. A proposed study could collect statistical data on the number of nurses who test positive for COVID-19, become critically ill, or die due to inadequate PPE. Such research is essential to understanding not only the scope of the issue but also the direct consequences on healthcare worker safety and patient care outcomes. Rowan and Laffey (2020) highlighted how global supply chain disruptions have exacerbated PPE shortages, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic solutions.

Research in nursing plays a vital role in advancing clinical practice and improving patient outcomes by generating evidence-based knowledge. Continuing education and research are fundamental to addressing current challenges in healthcare, including PPE shortages. Helbig (2018) discusses how research informs practice and highlights the importance of adapting nursing protocols based on emerging evidence, especially in crises like COVID-19.

Another pressing problem during the pandemic is the nursing shortage. In many healthcare settings, including the writer’s experience, entire units have been closed due to COVID-19 exposures. When staff members become sick or must quarantine, it results in a reduced workforce, forcing nurses to be floated to unfamiliar units. For example, nurses from the oncology unit, which was shut down temporarily, were reassigned to telemetry units where they may not feel comfortable managing certain patient needs, such as administering drips or handling complex conditions. This scenario introduces significant challenges related to staffing shortages and the redistribution of nursing personnel.

The impact of such shortages extends beyond logistical concerns to affect patient safety and nurse well-being. Nurses working outside their specialty or comfort zone may experience increased stress, which can elevate the risk of errors. This environment may lead to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and compromised patient care—issues that demand systematic investigation. Addressing these problems involves understanding how staffing shortages influence clinical outcomes and developing strategies for resilient healthcare staffing models that can withstand pandemic-related disruptions.

Studying the nursing shortage also includes exploring its psychological and emotional effects on nurses. The stress associated with working in high-risk environments, combined with the fear of contracting COVID-19 and transmitting it to loved ones, has significant implications for mental health. Furthermore, the fatigue resulting from increased workload and exposure risks can impair cognitive function, thereby affecting decision-making and patient safety. Analyzing these dimensions will help develop targeted interventions to support nursing staff during pandemics and future healthcare crises.

It is crucial for healthcare administrators and policymakers to consider these factors when devising emergency preparedness plans. Ensuring sufficient PPE supplies and staffing resilience are critical components. Strategies such as stockpiling PPE, implementing flexible staffing models, and offering mental health support services can mitigate adverse outcomes. Moreover, fostering a culture of safety and support within healthcare organizations enhances nurses' ability to perform effectively under crisis conditions.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical vulnerabilities within the nursing profession, primarily the severe PPE shortages and staffing deficits. These issues threaten both nurse safety and patient care quality. Comprehensive research is necessary to quantify the impact of PPE reuse on infection rates and to explore how staffing shortages influence clinical outcomes and nurse well-being. By addressing these challenges through evidence-based policies and practices, the nursing profession can better prepare for current and future health emergencies, ensuring safety and quality care for all stakeholders involved.

References

• Helbig, J. (2018). History and Process of Nursing Research, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, and Quantitative and Qualitative Research Process.
• Rowan, N. J., & Laffey, J. G. (2020). Challenges and solutions for addressing critical shortage of supply chain for personal and protective equipment (PPE) arising from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic – Case study from the Republic of Ireland. Science of the Total Environment, 725.
• Baldwin, D. S., & Ford, D. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals: Stress and mental health concerns. Journal of Health & Safety.
• Shaukat, N., et al. (2020). The importance of PPE in preventing COVID-19 transmission among healthcare workers. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 41(9), 1079-1080.
• Adams, J. G., & Walls, R. M. (2020). Supporting the healthcare workforce during COVID-19. JAMA, 323(15), 1439–1440.
• Chan, A. W., et al. (2020). Protecting healthcare workers against COVID-19: The role of PPE. The Lancet, 395(10228), 1572-1574.
• Fitzgerald, M. (2021). Strategies for addressing PPE shortages in healthcare. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 47(1), 12-15.
• Smith, E. (2020). The psychological toll of COVID-19 on nurses. Nursing Times, 116(4), 24-25.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Rational use of personal protective equipment for COVID-19 and strategies for optimizing the supply of PPE. WHO Publications.
• Farrugia, A., et al. (2020). Ethical considerations in the allocation of PPE and medical resources during the pandemic. Bioethics, 34(4), 391-398.