The vacancy rate at the national level indicates that 1,754,000 nurses are needed in the United States, and we are short at least 700,000 RNs. Hospitals report 12 percent to 25 percent increased use and have to divert or close beds because of short staffing. Physicians are angry because they are unable to admit patients. Many nurses consider the work environment to be hostile for good practice. Mandatory overtime adds to unsafe practices and results in patient care mistakes, which cause more angst for nurses.
Salaries are inadequate and there is volatility with intrashift work overload.
Clearly, nursing is a troubled profession. The vacancy problem mandates that we seize the opportunity to do things differently, as we did in the shortage of the 70s. All nurses, especially those in leadership positions, need to question which parts of our sacred spaces keep us from seeing what needs to be done. We simply cannot afford to do everything when there is no one else there to do it or to be checker-uppers on cheaper doers when it comes to patient care. Our united front on supporting that every patient needs a nurse will help us to focus on disruptive dislocations that force the issue of quality patient care.