Nursing Research Project 2 Phase 1 Paper Assignment Karen Le

NURSING RESEARCH PROJECT 2 Phase 1 Paper Assignment Karen Lezcano Florida National University February 1st, 2020

Nursing just like any profession faces numerous challenges daily. Nurses are usually tasked with the duty to ensure that they work diligently and professionally to ensure that their clients are satisfied with the services that they deliver. They are usually tasked with the duty to ensure that the patients that visit their premises get quality services that they deserve. However, these services come at a cost; they face a myriad of challenges that they have to work fully despite these challenges to satisfy their clients. Therefore, this research paper analyzes some of the problems that nurses face in the daily execution of their duties.

Identification of the Problem

Nurses face a myriad of challenges in their daily execution of duties. To ensure that they discharge their duties perfectly, all these challenges must be identified and effective measures are put in place to address them. The major problem in many medical facilities is understaffing. Studies have shown shortages of nurses in healthcare settings. These shortages vary across different countries and regions, with some areas experiencing surpluses while others face significant deficits. This shortage has led to nurses working long hours, often in shift systems to cover the staffing gaps. Such extended working hours impair nurses' cognitive functions and decision-making abilities, increasing the risk of errors and accidents.

Nurses working in laboratories, for example, are exposed to hazards such as chemicals, viruses, and pathogens. Overworking in such environments increases the likelihood of mistakes, injuries, or misdiagnoses (Shoorideh et al., 2015). The cumulative effect of these challenges not only jeopardizes patient safety but also threatens the well-being of nurses and the operational efficiency of healthcare facilities.

Significance of the Problem

Nurses are pivotal to the effective functioning of healthcare facilities. Their availability directly influences the quality of care delivered and the capacity to manage medical emergencies efficiently. Staffing shortages lead to overburdened nurses, which hampers their ability to perform optimally, impacting patient outcomes negatively (Alavi et al., 2015). Insufficient staffing also limits opportunities for nurses to engage in research and improve their skills, ultimately affecting the overall standards of care. Healthcare systems and policymakers recognize that adequate nurse staffing is critical for maintaining a healthy population and ensuring health system resilience (Lu et al., 2015).

Shortages compromise the ability of facilities to respond to urgent needs and can reduce patient satisfaction, leading to financial and reputational consequences for healthcare providers. Additionally, overworked nurses are more likely to experience burnout, which further exacerbates staffing problems and contributes to high turnover rates (Skundberg-Kletthagen & Moen, 2017). Ensuring sufficient, well-trained nurses is therefore essential for quality health service delivery, healthcare system sustainability, and societal well-being.

Purpose of the Research

This research aims to identify and analyze the challenges nurses face in their daily duties, focusing primarily on staffing shortages. The goal is to provide insights that can inform policy and management strategies to improve nurse staffing levels and working conditions. The study seeks to highlight how adequate staffing and qualification influence the quality of care, patient safety, and the overall efficiency of healthcare facilities. By understanding these challenges, relevant institutions can implement targeted interventions to enhance nursing practices and healthcare outcomes (Skundberg-Kletthagen & Moen, 2017).

Research Questions

• What challenges do nurses face in their daily discharge of duties?
• What are the benefits of having adequate and qualified nurses in medical facilities?

Addressing these questions will guide future efforts towards improving nurse staffing policies, training programs, and resource allocation, ultimately contributing to better healthcare delivery.

Paper For Above instruction

In the complex landscape of healthcare delivery, nurses serve as the backbone of effective patient care, yet they continually confront numerous challenges that threaten the quality and safety of services provided. Among these challenges, staffing shortages stand out as a pervasive issue that compromises not only patient outcomes but also the health and well-being of nurses themselves.

Shortages of nursing staff are a multifaceted problem influenced by factors such as aging populations, nurse attrition, and insufficient educational capacity to train new nurses (Aiken et al., 2014). These shortages are not uniform across regions; some areas experience shortages severe enough to force nurses into extended shifts, often exceeding standard working hours, to meet the demands of patient care (Buchan & Duffield, 2017). Such extended work hours result in fatigue, impairing cognitive functions and reducing nurses' capacity to make accurate decisions—an essential component in patient safety and quality care (McLelland et al., 2015). For example, overworked nurses may inadvertently make errors in medication administration, misinterpret lab results, or overlook critical changes in patient conditions, which can lead to adverse events or fatalities.

The risk of errors is compounded by nurses' exposure to hazardous environments, especially in laboratories or intensive care units where they handle chemicals, infectious agents, and other hazards (Shoorideh et al., 2015). Overwork and fatigue significantly increase the likelihood of occupational accidents, needlestick injuries, or cross-infection, posing additional risks to both nurses and patients. Consequently, the inability to maintain adequate staffing levels hampers the overall efficiency of healthcare facilities, causing delays in treatment, reduced patient satisfaction, and compromised health outcomes.

The importance of addressing these staffing challenges cannot be overstated. Adequate nurse staffing is linked to fewer patient complications, lower mortality rates, and better overall service delivery (Aiken et al., 2014). It also allows nurses to allocate sufficient time for comprehensive patient assessments, health education, and research activities, all of which are vital for continuous improvement in healthcare quality (Lu et al., 2015). Moreover, well-staffed facilities promote a healthier work environment, reduce burnout, and enhance job satisfaction among nurses, thereby decreasing turnover rates and preserving institutional knowledge (Skundberg-Kletthagen & Moen, 2017).

The societal implications are equally significant. Proper staffing and qualification standards are essential in maintaining a resilient healthcare system capable of responding effectively to emergencies and epidemics. Overburdened nurses can lead to burnout and attrition, exacerbating shortages and creating a vicious cycle detrimental to public health (Buchan & Duffield, 2017). Therefore, stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions, must collaborate to implement strategies for sustainable nurse staffing. This includes expanding nursing education capacity, improving working conditions, and offering incentives to retain qualified nurses (Aiken et al., 2014).

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the critical issues surrounding nurse staffing and the consequent challenges faced during daily operations, with a focus on how staffing adequacy influences patient safety, care quality, and organizational sustainability. The research aims to inform policy reforms and operational strategies that prioritize safe staffing levels, ongoing training, and support systems for nurses (Lu et al., 2015). Ultimately, improving nurse staffing and working conditions aligns with the broader objective of achieving equitable, efficient, and high-quality healthcare services for all members of society.

The key questions guiding this research are: What specific challenges do nurses encounter in their routine duties? And, what are the tangible benefits of maintaining sufficient, qualified nursing staff in healthcare facilities? Answers to these questions are essential to shaping future policies that safeguard nurses’ health and ensure the delivery of optimal patient care.

References

• Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Bruyneel, L., Van den Heede, K., Griffiths, P., Busse, R., et al. (2014). Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: A retrospective observational study. The Lancet, 383(9931), 1824-1830.
• Buchan, J., & Duffield, C. (2017). Stop neglecting health workforce. The Lancet Public Health, 2(11), e473-e474.
• McLelland, G., Hall, H., Gilmour, C., & Cant, R. (2015). Support needs of breastfeeding women: Views of Australian midwives and health nurses. Midwifery, 31(1), e1-e6.
• Lu, D. M., Sun, N., Hong, S., Fan, Y. Y., Kong, F. Y., & Li, Q. J. (2015). Occupational stress and coping strategies among emergency department nurses of China. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 29(4), 276-283.
• Shoorideh, F. A., Ashktorab, T., Yaghmaei, F., & Alavi Majd, H. (2015). Relationship between ICU nurses' moral distress with burnout and anticipated turnover. Nursing Ethics, 22(1), 64-76.
• Skundberg-Kletthagen, H., & Moen, L. (2017). Mental health work in school health services and school nurses' involvement and attitudes, in a Norwegian context. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 26(21-22), 3303-3310.