Session: The Nursing Shortage: Prescriptions for Safety
3354.0: Monday, November 17, 2003: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM
Oral
The Nursing Shortage: Prescriptions for Safety
Hospitals in the US have reduced nursing staffs and revised the roles of those remaining in order to control costs. The public sector has also revised both the role of nurses and diminished their role and numbers. Despite the cuts, there is currently a shortage of nurses. Nurses are leaving the occupation due to stress resulting from understaffing and problematic working conditions. Ominously, enrollment in nursing programs has been declining in recent years. An increasing nursing shortage has created serious staffing and quality of care issues in hospitals and elsewhere. Numerous studies have shown that inadequate nurse staffing leads to poorer patient outcomes. Anecdotal evidence indicates that patients are becoming more reliant on relatives and friends for some basic care. There is a need for a reexamination of the role of nurses in all sectors. Presenters will present ideas to change hospitals, community health care settings, and the health care system so as to improve the work environment for nurses and the quality of care. The nursing shortage will be put in a global perspective.
Learning Objectives: Refer to the individual abstracts for learning objectives
See individual abstracts for presenting author's disclosure statement and author's information.
Organizer(s):Pamela Wilson
Presider(s):Joni L Eisenberg, MPH
4:30 PMNursing Shortage
Cheryl L. Johnson, RN
4:50 PMRelationship Between the Type and Levels of Nurse Staffing and Burnout
Lorraine Thiebaud, RN
5:10 PMImpact of the Public Health Nursing Shortages
Sharon Moffatt, MS, RN
5:30 PMWithdrawn -- The Impact of the Nursing Shortage on Public Health Nursing
Organized by:Labor Caucus
Endorsed by:Asian Pacific Islander Caucus of APHA; Medical Care; Occupational Health and Safety; Public Health Nursing; Socialist Caucus
CE Credits:CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing, Pharmacy

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA