Reply To: Well stated and provocative. See this video

[Jorge Mesa]

The video provides a great argument for finding solutions to solve the nursing shortage and reduce nursing overwork. The nurse’s role is always changing, and more and more tasks and responsibilities are placed upon the nurses. Throughout the years, a significant amount of administrative, such as audits, reviews, and evaluations, have been given to the nurse to be implemented as part of their daily routine. The COVID 19 pandemic revealed some of the areas for improvement and new practices that can be implemented. The idea of given the nurse a secretary is not far-fetched. However, revising and reevaluating some of the policies, practices, regulations, and requirements can help reduce nursing overwork, reduce turnover, and retain experienced nurses. Documentation was one of the reviewed tasks, and leaders implemented alternatives to manage the surge of patients. Before assigning this task to another healthcare team member, revision of the documentation requirement, revision of workflows, and maximizing the use of technological tools can give the best gift, the gift of time. Unfortunately, many organizations have not maximized the use of technological tools to perform tasks such as audits and tracers.
Some of the alternatives presented in the video to manage the ever-growing nursing shortage, preventing nurse turnover, could effectively decrease the nursing shortage. The incorporation of internship during the academic preparation of the nurse can be beneficial in reducing the post-graduation training, helping the nurses’ growth in their careers as clinicians.
The nurse’s role has evolved and continues to evolve, requiring new solutions to the unique problems of the profession.