This study was designed to determine current and future need for nurses, skills and personal characteristics desired in today's nurse, and ways nursing education programs can better prepare students for employment. Interviews were conducted with 36 Directors of Nursing, Vice Presidents of Nursing, Unit Nursing Managers, and Human Resources Managers in the Rockford, Illinois area. Interviewers used a set of 20 structured questions to conduct each interview. Interview notes were used to complete detailed summaries of the sessions. These summaries were examined for common themes related to each of the questions posed.
Both ADN and BSN nurses are seen as qualified to fill RN positions, though many organizations prefer BSN nurses for their superior critical thinking, decision-making, organization, global thinking, and leadership. The top veteran nurses are said to be patient advocates, team-oriented, and open-minded, with strong interpersonal and delegation skills.
It is increasingly difficult to find nurses who are willing to work difficult schedules, such as nights and weekends. Hospitals, home health agencies, and long-term care centers report a nursing shortage, especially for nurses with specialty experience.
Many informants are hesitant to recommend nursing as a career due to the irregular, long hours, physical and emotional stress, liability, and low pay for high responsibility. Those endorsing a nursing career cite as positive the emotional fulfillment, various career opportunities, flexible scheduling, and job availability. According to most of those interviewed, local nursing education programs need to require more clinical hours, with an emphasis on hands-on and specialty experience.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the skills and characteristics desired in today's nurse. 2. Describe the current and future need for nurses in various settings. 3. Discuss ways that nursing education programs can better prepare students for employment.
Keywords: Nurses, Nursing Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.