Nurse-to-Patient Ratio

Nurse-to-Patient Ratio

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to enlighten and explore nurse-to-patient ratio in a holistic manner. The paper aims to discuss the correlation between nurse-to-patient ration and the satisfaction level of concerned personnel of the healthcare industry (nurses and patients). According to diverse sources, the nurse-to-patient ration has a significant influence on the job satisfaction of nurses and workforce of the healthcare industry. Moreover, the nurse-to-patient ration does not bound to influence the satisfaction level of the workforce; but, it also affects the satisfaction level of the patients. In addition, different sources assert that the impact on the nurse-to-patient ratio on the satisfaction level of patients is more crucial than on the satisfaction level of nurses. The patients that require healthcare assistance are dependent upon the healthcare professional and the nurses. The diagnosis to patients is suggested by the healthcare professionals and practitioners; however, the nurses are responsible for evidence based care of patients.

Therefore, it can be interpreted that the anomalies in the nurse-to-patient ratio can significantly influence the satisfaction level of the patients. The care required by the patient in case of any anomaly disturbs; hence, the patients are unable to get evidence based care from the nurses. The anomaly in the nurse-to-patient ratio does not limit to the healthcare industry of the Canada; but, the irregularity is a global concern. Nursing shortage has influenced the nurse-to-patient ratio. There are several factors that are responsible for the shortage of nursing workforce around the world. The characteristics of these factors range from the instructional features to remuneration concern. Hence, a credible plan must be constructed in order to sort any concern regarding the nurse-to-patient ratio anomaly. The core objective of this paper is to gather data from different sources in order to reach a proper conclusion, and suggest an effective action plan for bringing equilibrium in the nurse-to-patient ratio.

Statement of Purpose

Nurse-to-patient ratio is correlated with the job satisfaction of nurses and patients; hence, the anomalies in the nurse-to-patient ratio have a significant influence on the performance of the healthcare industry. Selection of nursing as a career has long been motivated by the desire to care for patients in an altruistic and unselfish manner. Unfortunately, altruism and unselfish benevolence seem to be minor factors in the selection of a modern day career. Today, the Canada is facing a nursing shortage. This shortage projects to worsen so that by the year 2020 the RN workforce will be 20 percent lower than that needed to fill demands. When an RN workforce shortage exists a concomitant effect on LPNs and LPN employers since both serve a vital complement to healthcare delivery and both make up a significant percent of persons on the healthcare team. While there are many causes for the present nursing shortage, a major contributing factor is the revolution in fundamentals values in what we expect in life that has occurred since the 1960s. An understanding of the change in fundamental values can assist in identifying interventions that can be ...