The role of a nurse in providing quality patient care cannot be overstated. At Corvid Clinic, the staff is facing challenges with nurse-to-patient ratios remaining higher than desired due to various factors such as economy, scarcity of BSN-trained and advanced practice nurses, high costs, length of hiring and training nurses, and competition (Livanos, 2018). The high staffing levels have led to lower staff morale, higher turnover rates, decreased patient satisfaction, and increased errors, making it essential to identify and address the factors contributing to this issue. In this paper, I argue that lower nurse-patient ratios are associated with better patient outcomes, reduced costs, and decreased burnout. Lower nurse-patient ratios can positively impact clinic costs, quality of care, and more motivated nurses.
Background and Significance
The high nurse-to-patient ratio at Corvid Clinic has been an ongoing problem due to various factors, such as economic constraints and the limited availability of BSN-trained and advanced practice nurses. The staffing issue at Corvid Clinic has far-reaching implications for patients, healthcare providers, and the public as a whole. First, lower staff morale and higher turnover rates can result in a decline in the standard of care and a rise in medical mistakes, both of which can have detrimental effects on patients (McHugh et al., 2021). Secondly, lower patient satisfaction can result in decreased trust in the healthcare system and lead to decreased utilization of healthcare services, which can have long-term implications for public health. Finally, the high levels of burnout among healthcare providers can result in decreased productivity and increased costs, which can have economic consequences for the healthcare system. This may be due to a lack of desire on the part of nurses to work and help clients. Basit & Duygulu (2018) argue that a lower nurse-to-patient ratio can be an additional source of motivation and keep the clinic from staff turnover.
Therefore, addressing the staffing issue at Corvid Clinic is of utmost importance as it is associated with better patient outcomes, reduced costs, and reduced burnout among healthcare providers. Improving the patient-to-nurse ratio including strategies such as increasing the pool of BSN-trained and improved practice can improve nurse morale (Sharma & Rani, 2020). This, in turn, can positively influence the desire of nurses to stay at work and reduce the risk of staff turnover in the hospital.
Possible Solutions
Option A: Offer competitive salaries and bonuses in the form of bonuses and advanced training courses. Corvid Clinic should consider offering competitive salaries and benefits packages to recruit and retain qualified nurses. This may include incentives such as sign-on bonuses, student loan repayment programs, and flexible schedules. Offering competitive salaries and benefits can help attract highly qualified nurses and reduce turnover rates, thus reducing the high nurse-to-patient ratios.
Option B: Partnership with educational institutions will create a program to improve the professionalism of nurses. Corvid Clinic can partner with local colleges and universities to offer nursing programs and training opportunities to individuals interested in pursuing a career in nursing (Rosenberg, 2021; Shin et al., 2018). This not only helps to address the shortage of BSN-trained and advanced practice nurses but also helps to build a pipeline of qualified nurses for the clinic.
Option C: Invest in a staff retention program to create a more comfortable nurse environment. To reduce turnover rates and retain experienced nurses, Corvid Clinic should consider investing in nurse retention programs. This may include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs, and recognition and rewards for outstanding performance (Hill, 2020; Paredes et al., 2020). By investing in nurse retention, the clinic can maintain a high level of experienced staff and reduce the need for constant hiring and training.
Recommendation
Based on the discussion above, it is recommended that the Corvid Clinic focuses on improving nurse-to-patient ratios. This should be done to reduce the burden on nurses and provide them with more comfortable working conditions. Such results can be achieved through various strategies, including increasing the pool of BSN-trained and advanced practice nurses, improving staff morale, and reducing turnover rates (Anders, 2021). Based on the problems described above, it is possible to simulate a case when a nurse burns out at work because she has too many patients. Because of this, their motivation drops, and they provide poor care. Reducing the workload will allow for more efficient work from nurses, as they will not be overloaded.
From my perspective, one effective strategy would be to invest in recruitment and retention initiatives, such as offering competitive salaries and benefits, providing opportunities for professional development, and creating a positive work environment (Twigg et al., 2021; Driscoll et al., 2018). Such efforts will cost the clinic several additional salaries, depending on the number of nurses hired. Additionally, the clinic could consider partnering with local universities and healthcare organizations to provide training and education programs for nurses (Oyetunde & Ayeni, 2014). This would help to increase the pool of BSN-trained and advanced practice nurses and support the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system.
Implementing these strategies would likely require significant investment in the short term, including the cost of recruitment and retention initiatives, training and education programs, and potentially higher salaries and benefits for healthcare providers (Al Zamel et al., 2020). However, in the long term, these investments will likely result in reduced costs associated with burnout and turnover, improved patient outcomes, and increased trust in the healthcare system (Yeşilyurt et al., 2021; Sherenian et al., 2013). The exact cost of these initiatives would depend on the specific strategies chosen and the resources available to the clinic, but it is clear that investing in improving nurse-to-patient ratios is essential for the sustainability and success of the healthcare system.
References
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