Impact of Nursing Faculty Shortage in the Nursing Field - Term Paper Example

This paper aims to discuss the problem of shortage of nursing faculty. A number of implications will also be provided to overcome the issue of shortage of nursing faculty. Problem Statement: Among different factors that have been considered as the reason behind shortage of nurses in healthcare field, lack of nursing faculty is one of the crucial issues that need avid implications. There are number of reasons that have contributed in the shortage of nursing faculty such as ageing of nursing faculty, retirement wave increasing the shortage ratio etc (Cronenwet, 2011).

Significance of the Problem: Nursing faculty shortage is an element which has contributed in the poor supply of nurses to the health care institutions. It is thus imperative to strategically counter the issue. A number of strategic implications are already underway by American Nursing Association but there is more to be done to overcome the problem. By countering the issue of shortage of nursing faculty, it will be possible to provide quality health care to the patients (Cronenwet, 2011). Nursing Faculty Shortage: A number of American nursing schools have marked increased shortage of nursing faculty.

Since 2004, the number of student enrolments has increased by large. It is because of this reason that increased number of nursing faculty is needed in the schools. . As per analysis it was noted that the average age of nursing educators is 45+. The retirement of faculty of nursing has kept the deficit of nursing faculty in a continual state (Cronenwet, 2011). The shortage of nursing faculty has a direct negative impact on the supply of nurses in the healthcare departments. The main purpose of the nursing schools is to supply nurses to the health care profession so that quick and quality health care facilities can be provided to patients.

Looking at the situation of shortage of nursing faculty in nursing schools, it has been estimated that 600,000 jobs are expected to be vacant for nursing professionals within next ten years. This fact is problematic and needs implication to overcome the turmoil of nursing profession (Cronenwet, 2011). It should be noted that nursing is a profession which is given a great deal of imperativeness in US. A lot of students have interest in pursing nursing degrees which is a hope for overcoming the shortage of nurses.

Researchers have claimed that such tremendous interest by the students in the nursing field is because the profession is to help humanity and the working conditions of nurses is relatively better than other professions. Also, the compensation packages being given to national nurses is quiet attractive for the students which makes it easier for the nursing profession to have more practitioners (Riegelman, 2006). The interest of students towards nursing profession has relatively increased which also resulted in increasing number of enrolment.

It has also been noted that a large number of applicants are turned away each year because the nursing