It is true that there is global attrition of nurses, but this does not make it unnecessary to have policy makers in the state of Texas more aware of this predicament and its impacts on health care. Undoubtedly, United States of America is a leader in many social experiences on the labor market, health care, education, technology, science; imprisonment of people, among many other dilemmas now facing the world.
Why does this have to be when America is considered one of the wealthiest nations on earth and a land of immense opportunities? Within this contextual framework the writer will advance arguments pertaining to the shortage of nurses in Texas as it relates to its incidence; emergence and potential hazard to the health care delivery system in this state. Yes! Shortage of nurses is a health hazard in itself!
Kathy Douglas (2009) in her article exposing the “Naked Truth” declared that ‘the world of staffing is a mess. . and it needs immediate overhaul’ (Douglas, 2009, p. 235). This is so due to overwhelming shortage of nurses in the industry.
Statistically, it has been proven that in Texas there is extreme inadequacy in coverage of registered nurses (RNs). The estimated range is 624.5 RNs per 100000 population. Evidently, in the presence of an ailing Obama health care reform this is comparatively lower, than the national rate which stands at 825 RNs per 100000 population. In 2000, it became critical, being depicted in alarming RN vacancies which could not be filled within the given time (Keenan, 2003)
Paradoxically, in the presence of serious economic deficits and rising unemployment, nursing vacancies still cannot be filled. What is going on in America and more significantly in Texas? What is this saying to training and recruitment agencies within the industry? Is there ignorance in the allocation of resources pertaining to nursing service obligations?
Further reports are that the magnitude of this dilemma is of such that ambulances are diverted from hospital to hospital, due to insufficient staffing in emergency units (Keenan, 2003). How appalling for a developed nation! Supportively, Texas team (4) confirms that, in 2010, the demand for full time RNs exceeded supply by 9700, and the gap is expected to increase by 25 000,in 2020, if sensible measures are not taken to address associating factors (Texas team, 2009).
What has health care reform done to address the shortage of nurses in Texas? Are these concerns beyond the jurisdiction of health care reformists? Investigating the background to extreme shortage of nurses in Texas; three major associating factors were detected regarding its emergence to the level now realized in this twenty first century era. Arguments are that this situation is not new. However, it is escalating out of proportion.
Recent reports are that the misery go round is centered upon training; recruitment and retention of nurses. Investigations revealed that one reason behind shortages is students requiring to be trained are refused admittance to training intuitions since these facilities do not have the supportive financial resources to accept more than their allotted quotas (Keenan, 2003)
Also, federal funding towards health care in Texas regarding recruitment and retention of qualified experienced nursing staff is undesirable. Hospitals are turning away patients even when beds are available due to the absence of qualified staff to tender care. Nurses flee the profession due to poor salaries and appalling working conditions (Keenan, 2003). It is time policy makers in Texas take responsibility for this decline in appropriate staffing within health care service. Texas residents as citizen of this beloved land deserve more efficiency in provision of care.
Already quality health care in American circulates among the best insurance policies, Medicaid and Medicare coverage. It is a disgrace that even with the most sophisticated health insurance paying into the system, tax payers still cannot receive the benefits due in relation to health care accessibility in Texas.
The urgency for policy makers in the department of health and human services, Texas, to take immediate action towards improving training opportunities, providing more humane working conditions for nurses and offer incentives for remaining on the job cannot be overemphasized.
If one were to just examine ‘Obamacare’ reform, more Texas residents according to statistics would be able to afford health insurance coverage with a potential to receive better care (Fuchs, 2009). Who are there to provide this care? Doctors are trained to be doctors and cannot be nurses.
Therefore, ‘Obamacare’ without addressing, training, recruitment and retention of nursing staff is simply another “bombscare” in the history of Texas health care services. Texas residents are again caught in the middle of the ocean arriving at health care facilities with their “Obamacare” insurance coverage to find that there are no nurses. Just imagine this scenario occurring in Texas, more so the almighty United States of America!
As such, the department of health ought to urge congress concerning attainable goals within the health care structure. What can a resident do with Medicaid, Medicare or health insurance when arriving at any hospital in Texas there are no nurses? It appears deserted, especially, during wee hours of the morning when there is a real need for nursing intervention.
President Obama always reiterates the rhetorical question, ‘can we do it? Yes we can.’ (Obama, 2008). Precisely, in support of this political jargon, Texas policy markets in the Department of health can develop the ‘yes we can’ attitude projected by the first African American president in United States of America. Yes! Texas can provide better health services for its residents. How can this be done is the next serious question.
In facing the odds of an inefficient nursing service Patricia Keenan (2003) from the John F.Kennedy School of Government confirmed that Registered Nursing profession is one of the largest growing in the US. Yet still acute shortages face the nation and Texas is not excluded. She alluded to shortages as being multifaceted and integrated within the confines of an increase in the demand for nursing care of an aging population; policymakers’ unwillingness to be assertive; women moving into other industries and deplorable workload issues (Keenan 2003).
It is no secret that measures must be taken by policymakers in Texas to halt such abuse on of the elderly who have paid into a system and expect to be rewarded appropriately. Keenan (2003) continues her exposition concerning, ‘The Nursing Workforce Shortage: Causes, Consequences, Proposed Solutions’ to explain that nursing staff availability affects quality of care (Keenan 2003).
She cited recent studies to provide data regarding increased hour of RN per patient resulting in fewer incidences of urinary tract infections for patients with urethral catheters, upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patient with Naso-Gastric tubes or catheters; pneumonias, anaphylactic shocks, cardiac arrests, death from complications and eventually shorter stay in hospitals (Keenan, 2003).
If these are the benefits to be derived from improved staffing, why is it so difficult for social planners in Texas and America to devise health care reform strategies that would enable every Texas resident this quality of care? Definitely, it is not in better health insurance coverage; but rather accessibility of quality health care for the average American/ Texan citizen. Kathy Douglas (2009) refers to it as evidence based nursing strategies whereby there is the right nurse for the right patient at the right time (Douglas, 2009). Can we do it? Yes we can! (Obama, 2008).
Emphatically, the call now is for policy markers in Texas Department of Health to covey this message of inefficient quality nursing care in hospitals around the state, to congress. Senior citizens who have contributed to social security and health insurances are advocating for better care when they arrive at hospitals in Texas. Children who are valuable resources of today and more so tomorrow desire accessible efficient health care services in their communities.
In the very same way are pregnant women who are vulnerable during gestation. Quality pre, intra and post natal services are essential for safety of mother and fetus. Just think of a situation whereby a mother is ready to deliver; arrives at the emergency only to find that there are no nurses even to admit her. Serious complications can occur for her and the baby. In this case two lives are being threatened.
Challenges in staffing did not emerge overnight, but insidiously seeped through the crevices of extensive budget cuts in health care overtime. State entities found it very difficult to retain quality staff to the detriment of society. Financial aid opportunities focused on Registered Nurse training is either limited or non-existent in the state of Texas (Keenan, 2003).
While speculations regarding training, recruitment and retaining of Registered Nursing are posited as being reasons for this dysfunction within the Texas health care system, political implications regarding its progression and escalation is evident. As such, during this time when citizens take to the court in an effort to repeal ‘Obamascare’ it would be a well worth gesture to repeal the entire health care system operating in America inclusive of Texas because it is a health hazard.
Works Cited
Douglas Kathy. “The Naked truth: The World of staffing is a Mess.” Nursing Economics
(2009): 25(3), 234-254.Print
Fuchs Victor. “Health Care Reform--Why so much Talk and so little action?” Massachusetts
Medical Society. Lane Medical Library. 2009. Print
Keenan Patricia. “The Nursing Workforce Shortage: Causes, Consequences, Proposed Solutions”
Issue brief: The Commonwealth fund. 2003. Print
Obama, Barrack. United States. Washington. Yes we can. : Obama, 2008. . Print.
Texas Team. “A Strategic Plan for the State of Texas to Meet Nursing Workforce Needs of
2013.”Texas Nursing: Our Future Depends on it. (2009): 1-19. Print.
