Posted: July 14th, 2023

The nursing profession has long been confronted with numerous challenges

Many nurses throughout history have left distinguished legacies of excellence in a variety of ways. What impact might you have on patients that you encounter every day?

Past and current challenges in nursing and health care have been met by exemplary nurse leaders. Each exhibited, or exhibits, an enhanced focus and ideation, enriched values, purpose, and grit! Successful nurse leaders are equipped to be effective thinkers, communicators, motivators, and champions of personalized health care.

Nurses continue to build upon a rich legacy of innovations and commitment to meet issues of nursing and health care. Florence Nightingale, for example, was highly educated, focused on a path of lifelong discovery, and dedicated to knowledge and science in the service of others. Her legacy created a better society.

Your individual nursing legacy is an integral part of the legacy of nursing. Reflect on how you want your nursing career to be remembered. Envision what you want to leave to the profession in the areas of practice, education, and research. Make a conscious decision to plan deliberately what your legacy will be, rather than just letting it happen.

Instructions:

Post a 3-paragraph response (of at least 350 words) to the following.

The 200thbirthday celebration of Florence Nightingale and the World Health Organization’s designation of 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife created an exciting opportunity to elevate and empower nursing.
Describe a challenge in nursing. As a nurse leader, share at least two solutions to meet that specific challenge based on current proposals and/or inspiration derived from past nurse leaders’ expertise and experiences.
At least 3 references.

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The nursing profession has long been confronted with numerous challenges, and it is through the exemplary leadership and dedication of nurse leaders that these challenges are met. One significant challenge in nursing today is the shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses. This shortage poses a threat to the quality of patient care and can lead to increased workload and burnout among nurses. To address this challenge, nurse leaders can consider two potential solutions.

Firstly, nurse leaders can advocate for increased investment in nursing education and recruitment. By collaborating with policymakers and healthcare organizations, they can raise awareness about the importance of nursing and the need for more resources to support the education and training of future nurses. This can include funding initiatives for scholarships, mentorship programs, and educational grants to attract and retain individuals interested in pursuing a nursing career.

Secondly, nurse leaders can promote a positive and supportive work environment for nurses. This can be achieved by implementing strategies such as flexible scheduling, improved nurse-patient ratios, and providing opportunities for professional growth and development. By fostering a culture of support and recognition, nurse leaders can enhance job satisfaction and retention rates, ultimately improving the overall quality of patient care.

Drawing inspiration from past nurse leaders, such as Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of education and professional development, nurse leaders can guide their teams to create lasting solutions to the challenges faced in nursing today. Through their expertise and experiences, these leaders can inspire and empower nurses to embrace innovation, pursue excellence, and make a lasting impact on patient care.

In conclusion, the challenges in nursing require proactive and strategic approaches. Nurse leaders have a vital role to play in addressing these challenges and shaping the future of the profession. By advocating for increased investment in nursing education and recruitment, as well as fostering supportive work environments, nurse leaders can contribute to overcoming the shortage of healthcare professionals and improving the quality of patient care.

References:

Buerhaus, P. I., Auerbach, D. I., & Staiger, D. O. (2016). The recent surge in nurse employment: causes and implications. Health Affairs, 35(8), 1406-1412.

Buchan, J., & Aiken, L. (2018). Solving nursing shortages: a common priority. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(5-6), 933-935.

Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: leading change, advancing health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Matney, S. A., Brewster, P. J., Sward, K. A., Cloyes, K. G., & Staggers, N. (2016). Philosophical approaches to the nursing informatics data-information-knowledge-wisdom framework. Advances in Nursing Science, 39(1), E1-E18.