THE NURSING SHORTAGE IN THE UNITED STATES

Nursing Shortage in the United States

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my thanks to my advisor, for his suggestions, comments, patience and understanding. Very special thanks to my parents, my father, my mother, my brother and my sister who were continuously supporting me throughout my life and leaving me free in all my decisions. I would also like to thank my collegues for his technical support whenever I needed. I would like to thank to Department, all the university managers, teachers and students with whom I have worked.

Abstract

Nursing shortages in healthcare today is major issue. In a poll conducted by the American Health Association in 2005, labor and staffing issues was the second biggest concern of top healthcare officials. Nursing is known for their long hours and very stressful jobs. As a result of this, enrollment in nursing schools has declined for the fourth straight year as of 2005. Currently it is observed that only females are encouraged to take up this profession (Baskin, 2005). Men have not been eager to join the profession. This can be and is a additional reason for the shortage of the nurses. This study will discuss the current nursing shortage and how it can be solved by just increasing the number of men in this profession. Also, the paper will discuss the use of foreign trained nurses as a way of combating the nursing shortage in America (Ball, 2004).

This study examines effects of Nurse supply and diversity on hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSH). Data are from 31 metropolitan areas in the 1984-1990 United States Longitudinal Study of Aging, and the Area Resource File. Discrete-time hazard models estimate ACSH risk. High ACSH risk may indicate problems with the accessibility or quality of primary care. Results show low supply areas have high risk. Adequate supply areas have significantly lower risk. Areas with greater supply have high risk, which may indicate supplier-induced hospitalization. Greater Nurse diversity reduces ACSH risk. Results support policies promoting Nurse placement in underserved areas, and those that educate minority Nurses.

Table of Content

Acknowledgements2

Abstract3

Chapter 01: Introduction6

Significance of the study7

Background of the study8

Problem Statement9

Rationale of the Study10

Purpose of the study11

Research Question11

Limitations11

Access To Health Care And Why Nurse shortage Areas Exist14

Chapter 02: Literature Review17

The Issues of Recruiting a FEN-Reasons for a FEN to Migrate21

Issues of Concern for the FEN25

Recruitment Abuses25

Racism and Discrimination26

Wage Issues for a FEN26

Trade Union Stance for a FEN27

Global ICT for health: Realities and work in progress27

Medical Practice Variation31

Supply and the Performance Of Primary Health Care32

ACSH and Nurse supply33

Chapter 03: Methodology36

Research Design36

Data Collection Method36

Methods & Data Analysis36

Analysis data set36

Variable Coding38

The Hazard Model39

Models Estimated40

Global ICT for health: Realities and work in progress40

Conceptual Model44

Structural Factors46

Chapter 4: Result48

Chapter 5: Conclusion54

Reference56

Chapter 01: Introduction

Outline of the Study

In the late 1970s, the United States' Congress created the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation, making underserved areas eligible for Nurses from the National Health Services Corps (Criteria for Designation of Health Manpower Shortage Areas, 1980). The premise of this program is that a low supply of ...