Recommendations for Facilities

How hospitals and other health care facilities can work to alleviate the nursing shortage.

"Nursing Shortage: Not a Simple Problem- No Easy Answers"
(2001) Online Journal of Issues in Nursing
The swing in the supply of and demand for nursing services will always be present; however, nursing must be at the policy-making table with the other decision makers to better anticipate the nature of these changes and how to address them.

"Hospital Nurse Staffing and Patient Mortality, Nurse Burnout, and Job Dissatisfaction"
(2002) JAMA
This study looked at the association between the patient-to-nurse ratio and patient mortality, failure-to-rescue (deaths following complications) among surgical patients, and factors related to nurse retention.

"Health Care’s Human Crisis - RX for an Evolving Profession"
(2004) Online Journal of Issues in Nursing
In 2001, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation commissioned a study on the nursing shortage in the United States to gain a better understanding of the drivers and inform the Foundation's response. This article discusses the impetus for, and a brief summary of, the resulting report, Health Care's Human Crisis: The American Nursing Shortage, published by the Foundation in 2002.

"Principles & Elements of a Healthful Practice/Work Environment"
(2004) AONE
AONE provides principles for a healthful practice/work environment.

"Defining the Role of the Nurse Executive in Technology Acquisition and Implementation"
AONE (2006)
Guiding Principles for Acquisition and Implementation for Information Technology Information technology is a key factor in patient safety, quality and may contribute to solving aspects of the nursing shortage. There is no doubt that information technology is about to become a key healthcare focus. This “white paper” outlines guiding principles for nurse executives to consider with regard to technology.

"Leading A Multigenerational Nursing Workforce: Issues, Challenges and Strategies"
(2006) Online Journal of Issues in Nursing
The nursing workforce is now comprised of staff and leaders from four different generations. This generational diversity can be challenging for nursing leaders. This article provides an overview of the generational differences and presents strategies which nursing leaders can use to coach and motivate, communication with, and reduce conflict for each generational cohort of nurses.