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Nurses Can Help to End the Nursing Shortage in America

Solution for Nursing Shortage? Two Nurses Think They Can Help.

Two Ways Every Person Can Help Ease the Nursing Shortage!

Nurses Can Help to End the Nursing Shortage in America

Fort Collins, Colorado – June 1, 2008 – Every man, woman, and child may at some time be affected by the nursing shortage, which is expected to exceed 340,000 within the next twelve years. With the average age of a nurse being forty seven, 55% of the current nurse workforce is planning to retire by 2020.

The implications of such a nursing shortage compromising patient care and threatening the quality of care are clear. It is also clear that the lack of qualified instructors to teach in nursing programs will continue to stall and possibly diminish the availability of nursing education and training programs well into the future.

Recruitment and retention expert LeAnn Thieman, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, Second Dose, insists that nurses themselves can help reverse that shortage. “If each of the 2 ½ million nurses in our country recruits or helps retain just one nurse, we’ll have plenty of nurses and maintain optimal patient care,” Thieman claims. As she releases her Each One Reach One Nurse campaign, she offers these 10 tips for nurses to help end the shortage:

1. Advocate nursing as a great career
2. Advise middle and high schoolers to join
3. Encourage nurses to be instructors
4. Help a tired nurse stay in
5. Recommend nursing as a career change
6. Recruit and welcome non-practicing nurses back to nursing
7. Encourage nursing assistants to get nursing degrees
8. Mentor and support new nurses
9. Take care of yourself and model that to others
10. Exude pride and role model nursing excellence

“Nurses are the best recruiters,” Thieman states. “They need to tell the world about the great career that they love, one with flexible hours, good pay, and the privilege of serving others.  We need to show pride and enthusiasm over our profession,” Thieman continues.  “That’s the first step toward convincing others that nursing is a very good place to be and that they should join us.”

LeAnn Thieman is a professional speaker, author, nurse and expert in nurse recruitment and retention. 1-877-844-3626, http://www.nurserecruitmentandretention.com

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Solution for Nursing Shortage?

Two Nurses Think They Can Help.

Fort Collins, Colorado.  National Nurse’s Week (May 6-12) is nearing and headlines warn of the current nursing shortage -- more than 125,000 nurses are needed now. By 2015, it is estimated the U.S.A. will be short 500,000 nurses. By 2020, 65% of the population will be 65 or older and it is predicted we will lack 700,000 nurses to care for them. The average age of a nurse today is 47 years and as they retire, the shortage is expected to grow, raising concerns for the future of health care for all Americans.

        But, two nurses LeAnn Thieman, LPN and her comrade Nancy Autio, RN, believe they can help ease the shrinking number of nurses. How? By tapping into something that’s found inside every nurse -- his or her story. A story that can rekindle the spirit of a tired nurse or recruit new students.

     “Nurse’s give a lot. They’re over-worked and overwhelmed. They need inspiration more than ever and stories written by fellow nurses inspire them to remain committed to the profession and encourage others to join the ranks,” claims Thieman, a nurse for over 30 years and co-author of the New York Times best-selling Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul.   “We need more caring people to enter the field and if an individual wants to make a difference in the world, then nursing is how they truly can.

     “Most nurses didn’t choose this career for the hours or pay and these stories remind them why they did,” says Thieman. “It isn’t just about the skill or technology, it’s about the heart, the compassion, the call to serving that sets a nurse apart.”

     Thieman, a nationally recognized speaker on life balance and nursing issues, noted that nursing school graduates are down sharply and part of that reason can be attributed to the many career opportunities that young men and women have to choose from today. She said, “Today nursing is very much a high-tech, yet high-touch profession and we must mentor and encourage others to consider the benefits and satisfaction that come from choosing a career dedicated to helping others.”  When asked, what the public can do to help ease the shortage situation? Thieman responded, “Encourage men and women, young and old to enter the healthcare profession. And thank a nurse today…you just might keep a tired soul from quitting and ensure there will be enough nurses there for you and your family when you need one!”

For a photo, review copy or sample stories from Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, contact LeAnn Thieman at 970/223-1574 or email to: LeAnn@LeAnnThieman.com

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Two Ways Every Person Can Help Ease the Nursing Shortage!

Fort Collins, Colorado - National Nurse’s Week kicks off in May and once again shortage issues will make the headlines. All citizens should take pause to see how they might help improve the situation. People should be concerned for the welfare of their families, and themselves. Our nation is short 126,000 nurses today and by the year 2015 the shortage, a world-wide crisis, is expected to reach 500,000.  One Colorado nurse believes there is something that every one of us can do to help. LeAnn Thieman, LPN, suggests two simple things that could start a wave to improve the situation for the future.

1.     Thank a nurse today. For doing what they do everyday - which is to show care and compassion and mix it with science.  “Nurse’s give a lot,” Thieman says. “With cutbacks in healthcare today, nurses are expected to do more with less. They’re tired, over worked and overwhelmed. They need to feel appreciated. A kind word or gesture may keep a nurse from quitting.”

2.     Encourage young and old, men and women to enter the healthcare profession.  It’s not just a career for women. “We all see unique qualities in our youth and we should help steer them to investigate healthcare options,” claims Thieman, a nurse for over 30 years and co-author of the New York Times best-selling Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul.  “We need more caring people to enter the field and, if an individual wants to make a difference in the world, then nursing is where they truly can. It’s exciting, rewarding and offers lots of challenges and opportunities,” says Thieman. “Most nurses don’t choose this career for the hours or pay. And it isn’t just about the skill or technology; it’s about the heart, the compassion, the call to service that sets a nurse apart. So, thank the ‘old’ nurses and encourage the ‘new.’ You just might keep a tired soul from quitting and ensure there will be enough nurses to care for you and your family when you need one!”

 For a photo, review copy or sample stories from Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, contact LeAnn Thieman at 970/223-1574 or email to: LeAnn@LeAnnThieman.com

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