CNA803 Assignment 3: Effect of Nurse Shortage on Quality of Care

This report investigates the impact of nurse shortages on the quality of healthcare services, focusing on the situation in Tasmania. The study explores the importance of trained nurses, the effects of shortages on service delivery, and the underlying causes of nurse shortages. The methodology employs secondary research designs, including descriptive and deductive strategies, to analyze existing data and draw conclusions. Key findings reveal recruitment challenges, high demand for nurses, and the impact of overtime on nurses. The discussions highlight the significance of nurses in healthcare, the consequences of shortages, and the economic impact on the state. The report concludes with recommendations to address the challenges posed by nurse shortages and improve healthcare quality.

EFFECT OF NURSE SHORTAGE TO QUALITY OF CARE
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Abstract
Tasmania has four major hospitals and they are; Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston general
hospital, Mersey community hospital and northwest regional Hospital accordingly. However, it
can be stated that recruitment of trained staffs within the healthcare sector has been observed to
be very less in Tasmania. Shortages of nurses have been found to affect quality of the healthcare
services. Hence the study would entail major reason for their nurse shortages and highlight their
impacts.
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Table of Contents
Introductions....................................................................................................................................3
Objectives........................................................................................................................................3
Methodology....................................................................................................................................3
Finding.............................................................................................................................................4
Discussions......................................................................................................................................5
Conclusions and recommendations.................................................................................................9
Reference.......................................................................................................................................10
Appendix........................................................................................................................................14
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Introductions
For a patient, a nurse can be considered as the best advocate. However, in most of the cases it has
been observed that, they remain unappreciated heroes of the health care system accordingly. In
this context, it can be stated that, it has been observed that Nurses perform emotional labour that
not everyone can do, for instance, in case of death and labour pains. Moreover, it has also been
observed that they work with a wide variety of patients throughout their career. However, it has
also been observed that they not only assist the patient with their issues, but they have also been
observed to assist the concerned patient with the bodily functions accordingly. Hence, they can
be considered as integral components of entire healthcare system. In fact, the main role of a
nurse is o assist a healthcare professional in their daily jobs accordingly. Hence, registered
medical professionals are expected to work in collaboration with nurses in order to deliver
effective care services accordingly.
Objectives
Nurse shortages can be explained as disruptions within the patient to nurse ratio. As per the
views of Lu et al.(2019), it can be stated that the main reason for nurse shortage would be the
lack of trained nurses. However, shortages of nurses have been found to affect quality of the
healthcare services. Hence, the main objectives of this particular study can be listed accordingly;
● To understand the importance of trained nurses in delivery of effective quality care
● To study the impact of Nurse shortages to the Quality of service delivery
● To understand the major reasons behind trained Nurse shortages
● To recommend ways through which the impact of Nurse shortages can be curbed
Methodology
In order to accomplish the aims and objectives of this particular study, “Secondary Research
designs” have been chosen. As per the views of Zboril-Benson (2016), it can be stated that
secondary research designs are one of the most commons forms of research, in its research work
conducted by other others are expected to be synthesized in compliance to the aims and
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objectives of this particular study. The major advantage of this process is that research data is
readily available and the cost associated with the research is extremely low. However,
Nantsupawat et al.(2016) had suggested that, primary sources are used to generate data, whereas,
in secondary sources, exiting data is used accordingly. The data collected through secondary
designs are often pre- validated; hence, the research work is expected to be more valid
comparatively.
Apart from it, it can also be stated that” Descriptive and Deductive” Strategy can be used in
order to conduct the study. In this context, it can be stated that, Deductive analysis is based
completely in developing theories based on existing hypothesis. In simple terms, Deductive
analysis is used to derive analysis from conclusions accordingly. The thorough analysis of a
situation can make the researcher reach to the conclusion easily (Aiken et al. 2017). However,
one major disadvantage of these designs is that, if deductions go wrong then the entire study
would fail accordingly. On the contrary, Shamian et al.(2016) had suggested that descriptive
design is scientific research technique that is based on observation. However, these observations
have no direct influence on the subject accordingly. Since the major objective of the study would
be to explain the impacts of nurse shortages within healthcare systems and its impact on the
quality of service delivery.As per the views of Cheng et al. (2016), the leadership quality among
the nurses fulfil the situation of shortage in nurses and does not let fall the service quality.
Hence, implementing the aforesaid process had enabled in documenting a deep understanding
about the importance of trained nurse within a healthcare system. Moreover, systematically
arranging all the findings the reason of unavailability of trained nurses within the healthcare
systems of Tasmania would also been described in this study.
Finding
In response to the aforesaid methodology the findings can be listed accordingly. As per the views
of Lavoie‐Tremblay et al.(2016), it can be stated that recruitment of trained staffs within the
healthcare sector has been observed to be very less in Tasmania. However, it has also been
observed that the healthcare systems in Tasmania have been observed to have a high demand for
trained Nurses. The main reason for this is the restrictions that are being placed on the process of
recruitment accordingly. As commented by Oppel et al. (2017), the aforesaid points have been
clarified by the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) department and have presented evidence
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against the constraints that are being placed against the recruitment procedures.The in-depth
analysis of Resource allocation and rationing in nursing care: a discussion paper. Nursing Ethics
provides the information that the nurses who have been registered by THS as the professional
ones for taking care of the patients can increase the budget of health-care at a large percentage
(Scott et al. 2015).
In this context, it can also be stated that, Tasmania has four major hospitals and they are; Royal
Hobart Hospital, Launceston general hospital, Mersey community hospital and northwest
regional Hospital accordingly. All of these hospitals have been accredited by the THS delivering
quality care services as well as teaching programme for nurses and midwives. In accordance with
the inferences gathered from a study by Armmer (2017), it can be stated that, The Tasmanian
healthcare service Industry displays Diversity within workplace cultures accordingly. This can be
inferred from the fact that the healthcare units of Tasmania recruits staffs from all over Australia
as well as the entire world.
As commented by Oppelet al. (2017), the healthcare systems within Tasmania can be entailed as
one of the Key pillar supporting the economy of the state. In this context, Al‐Hamdan et al.
(2016) had stated that more than 3800 people have been noted to work in this sector accordingly.
Moreover, it can be stated that, more than 5000 openings in these sector have been projected to
be opened in these sectors. Based on further findings, it can be stated that the health care systems
have been observed to face significant challenges. In this context, Lu et al.(2019) had stated that
the health care service has more than 184 vacant positions. Moreover, as per the views of Emily
Shepherd nurse shortages has existed across the maternity and intensive care units. In this
context, Lu et al. (2019) had added that in the year 2018, the overtime billing of nurses had been
amounted to $914,489 in all the four hospitals of the country, in which, the highest biller was
$426,196 accordingly. The main aim of the nurses is to deliver quality care services is the
topmost priority. However, it has been observed that Nurses work overtime, upon which they are
poorly paid accordingly. These can be entailed as one of the major reason that Trained Nurses
are leaving their jobs.
Discussions
The healthcare systems in Tasmania can be described as one of the foremost pillars for the state’s
economy. The healthcare systems in Tasmania have been delivering Quality care services as
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well as offering strong career opportunities accordingly. As viewed by Al‐Hamdan et al. (2016),
the Tasmanian Government had aimed in investing more towards new infrastructures as well as
facilities for improving the quality of health care services that are being provided by the state. It
is seen in Resource allocation and rationing in nursing care: a discussion paper, Nursing Ethics.
The manipulation of mixing in skill has been seen as one of the crucial method to manage the
increasing cost while maintaining the care of the patient by the nursing industry (Scott et al.
2015). Zboril-Benson (2016) added that, $689 have also been sanctioned to be spent for
redevelopment of Royal Hobart Hospital. In compliance to this for a patient, a nurse can be
considered as the best advocate. However, in most of the cases it has been observed that, they
remain unappreciated heroes of the health care system accordingly. In this context, it can be
stated that, it has been observed that Nurses perform emotional labour that not everyone can do,
for instance, in case of death and labour pains. Moreover, it has also been observed that they
work with a wide variety of patients throughout their career. The variety of patient impact in the
workload of the nurses as it happens sometimes that they have to spend more time on some
critical patients individually (Hegney et al. 2019).
Importance of Nurses:
It is true that doctors as well as medical practitioners play an important role within the health and
social care industry by treating a patient in a right way. However, it can be stated that the role of
the nurses cannot be ignored accordingly. As commented by Borhani et al. (2017), the main role
of a nurse is to work in collaboration with the doctors in order to deliver quality care services
accordingly. Apart from it, they also attend the needs of the patients without being impatient and
ensure that they are to be met. In this context, Armmer (2017) had stated that, patient care is of
primary concern for the nurses. Nurses observe patients health condition and collaborate with
doctors in creating a treatment plan accordingly. However, it can be mentioned that nurses
require education on a wide range of tools and medical equipments like Stethoscope and
monitoring systems for taking care of the students accordingly. According to Twigg et al.
(2016), besides having a thorough practical knowledge about the care of the patients, the nurses
are required to have sound knowledge on the theories of nursing for they have to do some paper-
works as well as the part of their job. As commented by Al‐Hamdan et al. (2017), patient
education can be entailed as one of the major aspect of nursing by helping the patients in making
healthy choices. Apart from it, it can be stated that Nursing requires lot of paperwork as well as
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documentation. Hence, it can be stated that a nurse can find their positions can find their roles
within all kinds of healthcare setting accordingly.
Impacts of Nurse Shortages:
As commented by Watkins et al. (2016), patients have been at risks during nursing shortages in
many ways. They may be turned down from the hospitals if there are shortages of staffs within
the health care units accordingly. The journal named Resource allocation and rationing in
nursing care: a discussion paper. According to the chosen article, Nursing ethics states that the
employers of nursing industry are looking for the methods to provide the care to the patients
while maintaining the cost (Scottet al. 2015). However, it has been observed that most of the
nurses in Tasmania have been overstressed; hence, it is evident that they are more prone to
making mistakes accordingly. Hospitals and health care sector have been observed to make
money in order to stay within the market. As commented by Khan et al. (2019), the nurses often
intend to leave the settings of adult critical care for their overstress in that sector. In fact, they
make money by providing health and social care services to patients accordingly. If they turn
down patients due to shortage of staffs they would run in losses as a result they would not be
able to run their floor operations accordingly. The shortage of nurses can increase the acuity
among the patients (Scottet al. 2015). Hence, it is evident that the healthcare service sector falls
under the service sector and they provide intangible services as well as goods accordingly. Due
to shortages of staff the pressures on the existing staff members would be more. Hence, they
would find themselves at high demands and they would fall under immense work pressures
accordingly. Hence, it is evident that the quality of services would be impacted greatly. Apart
from the ill effects, Borhani et al. (2017) had stated that there are various positive impacts on the
delivery of care services accordingly. The healthcare service sector in Tasmania can hire more
staff members at an affordable pricing. As opined by Slade et al. (2018), the nurses are hired by
basing on their skills of communication and training. Hence, it is evident that employment
opportunities within this particular sector would increase considerably. Recruitment within the
healthcare sector has been observed to be very less in Tasmania. However, it has also been
observed that the healthcare systems in Tasmania have been observed to have a high demand for
trained Nurses. The main reason for this is the restrictions that are being placed on the process of
recruitment accordingly. The aforesaid points have been clarified by the Tasmanian Health
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Service (THS) department and have presented evidence against the constraints that are being
placed against the recruitment procedures.
Reasons for nurse shortages:
The healthcare systems within Tasmania can be entailed as one of the Key pillar supporting the
economy of the state.According to the journal Resource allocation and rationing in nursing care:
a discussion paper. Nursing ethicsbyScottet al. (2015), the shortage of nurses create a shortage in
the workforce along with being a constraint in the economy of the nursing Industry. Based on
further findings, it can be stated that the health care systems have been observed to face
significant challenges. Despite of having many vacant positions within the service sector, it has
been observed that these sectors have been facing a wide range of challenges. As commented by
Armmer (2017), the shortages of Nurse Shortages have been observed worldwide. However,
within a country like Tasmania the demand for registered nurses are more acute accordingly. In
these contexts, it can be stated that the main reason is due to the lack of trained nurses. As per the
view of Roche et al. (2015), the institutions for training the nurses lack the infrastructure for
making the training accurate to the trainees and that brings lack in the training of the nurses
which results in the shortage. In some of the cases, it has been observed that the lack of quality
education amongst the students in the nursing schools accordingly. Apart from it, it can be stated
that the major reason for shortages can be listed accordingly;
● Frequent changes in schedule
● Overstress in work due to schedule changes
● Undefined schedules defined in work
● Poor payment rates amongst the employees
In this context, it can be stated that the administrative government health policies have been
observed to introduce less changes within the employment policies within the healthcare sectors.
In this context, it can be stated that cost cutting is the priority with the increase in patient counts.
Hence, in most of the cases, it has been observed that Nurses receive poor payments accordingly.
The Tasmanian healthcare service Industry displays Diversity within workplace cultures
accordingly. This builds the unity among the nurses and helps to develop their professional
ethics even in an emergency situation (Morphet et al. 2015). This can be inferred from the fact
that the healthcare units of Tasmania recruits staffs from all over Australia as well as the entire
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world. Thus, the nursing industry of Tasmania has reached a diversity of a global level (Duffield
et al. 2016).
Conclusions and recommendations
Nurse shortages can be explained as disruptions within the patient to nurse ratio. Recruitment of
trained staffs within the healthcare sector has been observed to be very less in Tasmania.
However, it has also been observed that the healthcare systems in Tasmania have been observed
to have a high demand for trained Nurses. The main reason for this is the restrictions that are
being placed on the process of recruitment accordingly. In this context, it can also be stated that,
Tasmania has four major hospitals and they are; Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston general
hospital, Mersey community hospital and northwest regional Hospital accordingly. The
healthcare systems in Tasmania can be described as one of the foremost pillars for the state’s
economy. The healthcare systems in Tasmania have been delivering Quality care services as
well as offering strong career opportunities accordingly. Patients have been at risks during
nursing shortages in many ways. They may be turned down from the hospitals if there are
shortages of staffs within the health care units accordingly. However, it has been observed that
most of the nurses in Tasmania have been overstressed; hence, it is evident that they are more
prone to making mistakes accordingly. Hospitals and health care sector have been observed to
make money in order to stay within the market. Based on the aforesaid analysis, certain
recommendations can be suggested accordingly;
● Improve monthly emolument
● Train nurses as per the market demands
● Fix their work schedules accordingly
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