Analysis of Issues in Professional Nursing Practice

Introduction

Nursing is a cornerstone in the ever-changing world of healthcare, bearing the weight of providing compassionate care and knowledge to patients (Wakefield et al., 2021). As the demands on healthcare workers increase, the role of nurses constantly changes to suit the needs of a diverse and complex patient population (Wasik, 2020). This essay focuses on the contemporary state of nursing, addresses the challenges that this noble profession confronts, as well as outlines certain strategies for advancing the field in these rapidly changing times. From its humble beginnings as a profession with a narrow scope and a female preponderance, nursing evolved far in recent years (Gasparino et al., 2019). In the modern era, it is a vibrant and complex area that welcomes people from many backgrounds and interests. The contemporary age has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges for nurses, where their roles extend far beyond bedside care (Wasik, 2020). This essay demonstrates the critical challenges faced by nurses in healthcare institutions, and impacting the healthcare outcomes. Through this exploration, it can be possible to provide insights into the state of nursing today and propose solutions to elevate this profession to new heights.

View on Nursing

Nursing has evolved into a dynamic and diverse profession that requires a wide range of skills, knowledge, and adaptability from its practitioners. It is increasingly acknowledged as a calling, requiring a particular blend of compassion, critical thinking, and a dedication to continuous learning and progress (Arumugam et al., 2023). Currently, the profession of nursing covers a variety of functions that extend far beyond providing bedside care. The registered Nurses (RNs) are considered as the backbone of healthcare, bridging the gap between medical expertise and patient care (Jackson et al., 2022). These registered nurses are not just care providers, but also patient educators, advocates as well as healthcare team collaborators (NMBA, 2016). In terms of providing patient-centered care, the nurses play a significant role. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the patient's physical, emotional, as well as psychological requirements are satisfied (ACSQHC, 2017). The profession emphasizes the importance of holistic care, recognizing that each patient is unique and requires a tailored approach to achieve the best outcomes (Wasik, 2020).

The impact of technology on nursing practice is evident. Electronic health data, telemedicine, use of social media, and modern medical equipment have become essential components of nursing care (Senbekov et al., 2020). From the works of Gasparino et al. (2019) it can be said that registered nurses are not only mere users of technology, but are educators who assist patients in navigating the digital components of healthcare. As per the works of Wakefield et al., (2021) it can be said that nurses are increasingly involved in shaping healthcare policies and advocating for patient rights. As patient rights are promoted, nurses have become more actively involved in determining healthcare policies (Arumugam et al., 2023). In the ever-changing healthcare environment, they are the voice that ensures ethical standards and patient safety are respected.

Apart from this, it can be said that the profession of nursing is not without its challenges, but its contemporary view is one of optimism and dedication. From the works of Arumugam et al., (2020) it is understood that the modern nurse is such a healthcare professional who is the driving force behind healthcare innovation, and the savior of improved healthcare outcomes. In the contemporary age, nursing is a noble profession that stands strong and resilient, embracing the complexities of healthcare with grace and unwavering commitment (Jackson et al., 2022).

Challenges Facing Nursing

In the modern era, nursing faces a number of intricate challenges that holds an impact on the healthcare field. As nurses work to deliver high-quality care to a varied and evolving patient population, these difficulties put their capacity for resilience and adaptability to the test (Henshall et al., 2020). It can be said that responding these issues is critical to ensuring that nursing continues to be a significant force in the healthcare system, providing optimal outcomes for patients and communities (Alluhidan et al., 2020). In this section, two primary challenges which are faced by the modern nurses nowadays will be explored. The first challenge is the shortage in the nursing workforce, which holds far-reaching consequences for patient care, nurse well-being, as well as the overall healthcare system (Spurlock, 2020). The second challenge revolves around the integration of advancing technologies in nursing practice, highlighting the need for nurses to adapt to a rapidly changing digital healthcare environment (Han et al., 2019).

Challenge 1: Shortage in the Nursing Workforce

From the research works of Marć et al., (2019) it is acknowledged that the shortage of qualified and experienced nurses stands as a significant challenge faced by nurses in the modern era. This issue has a profound impact on healthcare systems such as affecting patient care, the overall well-being of nurses as well as efficiency of the healthcare industry (Spurlock, 2020). Impending retirement of a large portion of the nursing workforce can be considered as a primary factor that contributes to the nursing workforce. This demographic shift is compounded by the increasing demand for healthcare services, primarily due to the aging population (Drennan & Ross, 2019). The disparity between the supply and demand for nurses' services widens as people age and require more medical treatments. The consequences of this critical issue in nursing profession are numerous and far-reaching (Marć et al., 2019). With fewer colleagues to share the workload, nurses often find themselves working longer hours and facing heavier patient loads. This also creates burnout and impacts their mental well-being by negatively affecting job satisfaction (Thomas et al., 2019).

In addition, by the views of Thomas et al., (20019) it can be said that understaffing, as a result of the workforce shortage, compromises the overall quality of care provided in healthcare settings. The overworked nurses might lack time or resources to provide patients the quality of care they require (Thomas et al., 2019). Due to the overworked nurses, patients might have to wait longer period for necessary treatments and medications, and the quality of care may suffer. Ineffective responses to complicated medical emergencies might also be hampered by the lack of experienced nursing personnel (Thomas et al., 2019). Moreover, the emotional well-being of patients can also be affected when they do not receive the necessary attention and support (Alluhidan et al., 2020). Lastly, this issue not only imposes additional stress on the existing healthcare staff, but also increases healthcare expenses due to longer hospital admissions. Studies have shown a crucial connection between the size of the nursing workforce and patient safety, showing that higher nurse staffing levels are linked to lower death rates and better patient outcomes (Alshahrani, 2022) (Aiken et al., 2023).

Challenge 2: Integration of Advancing Technologies in Nursing Practice

The explosive development of healthcare technologies in the modern day brings both benefits and challenges to the nursing profession. One of the foremost concern in this domain is the rapid pace of technological evolution (Pepito & Locsin, 2019). In order to efficiently use and operate a variety of technological devices, nurses must constantly update their skills. From Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to telemedicine platforms and advanced medical equipment, the modern nurses are expected to navigate as well as utilize a wide array of digital tools (Senbekov et al., 2020). It can be said that the adoption of these technologies is said to be essential to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and timely delivery of care (Pepito & Locsin, 2019). However, the process of learning and adapting to these technologies constantly can be time-consuming and overwhelming along with creates resistance among nurses to adapt to any changes.

In addition, factors like interoperability and data management also contribute to this challenging issue while integrating technology into nursing practice (Lehne et al., 2019). In order to provide comprehensive care to patients, it is crucial to ensure that different healthcare systems can communicate and share patient data seamlessly. However, many healthcare organizations grapple with issues of interoperability, which can lead to fragmented care and errors in diagnosis and treatment (Lehne et al., 2019). Moreover, a constant need prevails among nurses to balance the benefits of technology with the preservation of the human touch in nursing care (Pepito & Locsin, 2019). With the increasing prevalence of technology, nurses need to figure out how to combine patient-centered, compassionate care with technology-driven efficiency (Pepito & Locsin, 2019). The risk is that an over-reliance on technology could diminish the personal and empathetic aspects of nursing.

Apart from this, concerns about patient privacy and data security are also growing as technology advances in the modern era such as big data technology (Price & Cohen, 2019). It is the crucial responsibility of the nurses to navigate the ethical and legal implications of accessing and safeguarding sensitive patient information (Price & Cohen, 2019). Failing to handle patient data properly can lead to serious challenges like breaches, jeopardizing patient trust, and causing legal ramifications.

Recommendations

Addressing Nursing Workforce Shortage

The first and foremost strategy to reduce this critical issue is increasing the capacity of nursing education programs. Expanding the capacity of nursing education programs and streamlining the process of becoming a nurse can help produce a greater number of qualified nurses so as to meet the growing demand (Chen et al., 2020). Another strategy is to offer incentives for experienced nurses (Owens et al., 2021). It can be said that by providing competitive salaries, signing bonuses, and professional development opportunities, the healthcare authorities can attract the nurses to retain their jobs. This can reduce the turnover rates of the nursing staffs in healthcare organizations (Owens et al., 2021). Moreover, the healthcare organizations should also explore innovative care models, like team-based care and use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, to maximize the skills of the existing workforce (Abou Malham et al., 2020).

Training on using Advanced Technologies

In order to respond to this critical issue, the healthcare organizations should provide comprehensive training and ongoing education for nurses to stay updated on the latest technologies (Kaihlanen et al., 2019). The online courses and workshops can facilitate learning. Another strategy that can be recommended to reduce this issue is promoting interoperability. As per the works of Powell & Alexander, (2019), it is realized that encouraging the development and adoption of healthcare standards for interoperability is essential. The healthcare systems should work together to ensure that patient data flows seamlessly across platforms (Kaihlanen et al., 2019). While technology is crucial, it should not replace the personal touch in nursing care. Nurse training should include empathy and effective communication skills so as to maintain the patient-centered approach (Han et al., 2019). Moreover, data security should be prioritized by healthcare organizations. It can be done by implementing robust cybersecurity measures, conducting regular audits, along with ensuring that all staffs are well-versed in data protection best practices (Price & Cohen, 2019).

Fostering a Collaborative Approach

Based on the research works of Schot et al., (2020) it is acknowledged that the collaboration among healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers is significant to address these challenges effectively. It can be said that transparent communication and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for handling nursing's challenges (Jack et al., 2023). This approach ensures that the expertise and insights of various stakeholders are leveraged to develop comprehensive solutions. The nurses can actively contribute their perspectives, educators can impart the necessary skills, and policymakers can develop supportive policies (Schot et al., 2020). This cooperative effort promotes creativity and guarantees the nursing profession's adaptability in a healthcare environment.

Conclusion

Throughout the study, it is acknowledged that the profession of nursing is a vital pillar of modern healthcare that faces both opportunities and challenges in the modern era. A new era of care delivery has been brought about by technological improvements, and the nursing profession has developed. Comprehensive solutions are necessary to address issues like the scarcity of nurses and the incorporation of new technologies. It is understood from this study that by increasing nursing education capacity, offering incentives, embracing technology, and fostering a collaborative approach can collectively empower the nursing profession so as to provide compassionate and patient-centered care

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