NURSING PROGRAM ADDRESSING WORLDWIDE NURSING SHORTAGE
It’s
nearly unfathomable to picture a situation in which a person in
desperate need of the medical attention provided by a nurse might find
himself or herself without that care. Society depends on its nurses and
their willingness and availability, often to the point where those
dedicated individuals are taken for granted.
But studies dating back several years forewarn of a dire nursing
shortage that has recently reached worldwide status. According to the
January/February 2007 issue of Health Affairs, the U.S. nursing shortage
alone could increase to as many as 340,000 by 2020. These findings
mirror the predictions made by Penn State University researchers, who in
2001 noted that “the nursing shortage is a worldwide phenomenon that is
both jeopardizing health care and creating stressful working conditions
for nurses.” That same report went on to state that 90 of the 105
nurses’ unions and organizations – encompassing 69 different nations –
reported their countries were experiencing a critical shortage of
nurses.
“There has always been a nursing shortage,” Kathy Hall, Director of
Angelina College’s Health Careers Division, said. “This is nationwide,
but it’s really hitting the East Texas area hard.”
Hall said the reasons for the national shortages include the number of
baby boomers reaching the age in which they need more care; the number
of nurses reaching retirement age; and the stressful working conditions
created by the shortage itself, leading to earlier signs of burnout
among those in the nursing profession.
Sharon Buffalo, AC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program Coordinator, said
the state of Texas has addressed the shortage, going so far as requiring
the expansion of nursing programs across the state.
“Because the nursing shortage has developed at such a critical rate,
we’ve worked closely with the state itself and all the entities there –
the coordinating board, legislation – to try and push them to help us
expand the nursing field,” Buffalo said. “So now we’re getting policy
mandates from them requiring us to expand. We’re not only expanding
because of the need, but because there’s also legislation in place
ordering us to do so.”
This year, the AC Nursing program has already expanded from an earlier
maximum of 80 to 110 students in its Associate Nursing Degree program
while admitting another 30 applicants to the Vocational Nursing program
as well.
To assist in this much-needed growth, the Nursing Program itself is
hoping to benefit from the upcoming bond election in which a new,
state-of-the art, $6.2 million facility would not only allow for
technology updates; the new structure would help ease the existing
overcrowded classrooms, allow for expansion of computer facilities for
required on-line testing, and address the problem of no laboratory space
for clinical/practicum experiences. According to Hall, AC Health Careers
instructors are currently having to juggle classroom space between
several other campus facilities. In fact, some classes are having to
share lab space to accommodate the number of enrolled students.
AC president Dr. Larry Phillips said the importance of AC’s role in
addressing a nursing shortage is of great concern to the college and the
surrounding areas.
“We are committed to continuing this expansion of our nursing programs,”
Phillips said. “Health careers are a critical need for our entire
college service area.”
The bond election will take place on Nov. 6th. Early voting begins Oct.
22nd.
