MY STRATEGIC PLAN ISSUE IS: NURSING SHORTAGE
In 2 pages, address the following:
• Describe the strategic plan issue you selected. Include a historical analysis of the issue
Explain how evidence from the literature supports the need for this project (include appropriate resources).
Describe past attempts by various individuals and groups to address this issue.
Explain stakeholders that should be included in the strategic planning process.
Identify the financial implications of the project for the organization.
THE ASSIGNMENT MUST INCLUDE AN INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH WITH A PURPOSE STATEMENT AND A CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH. EACH BULLET POINT SHOULD BE ITS OWN SUBTITLE. BELOW IS REFERENCES THAT MAY BE USED
Fitz, T., & Shaikh, M. (2018). 4 tactics of effective strategic technology planning for the digital future: The digital future for health care is a rapidly emerging certainty; the goal of evaluating and implementing innovative digital technology should be core to any healthcare organization’s strategic planning process. Healthcare Financial Management, 72(11), 33-45
Wadsworth, B., Felton, F., & Linus, R. (2016). SOARing Into Strategic Planning: Engaging Nurses to Achieve Significant Outcomes. Nursing administration quarterly, 40(4), 299–306. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000182Links to an external site.
Weston M. J. (2022). Strategic Planning for a Very Different Nursing Workforce. Nurse leader, 20(2), 152–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2021.12.021Links to an external site.

Introduction

The nursing shortage is a critical issue facing healthcare organizations worldwide. It is caused by a combination of factors, including an aging nursing workforce, a lack of nursing faculty, and an increasing demand for healthcare services. The purpose of this paper is to describe the nursing shortage issue, provide a historical analysis of the issue, and discuss past attempts by various individuals and groups to address the issue. Additionally, the paper will explain stakeholders that should be included in the strategic planning process, identify the financial implications of the project for the organization, and demonstrate how evidence from the literature supports the need for this project.

Description of the Strategic Plan Issue and Historical Analysis

The nursing shortage is a critical issue affecting healthcare organizations globally. The issue has been ongoing for several decades and has intensified in recent years due to an aging nursing workforce, a lack of nursing faculty, and an increasing demand for healthcare services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021), the United States will experience a shortage of approximately 175,900 nurses by 2029. This shortage will have a significant impact on healthcare organizations, leading to increased costs, decreased quality of care, and increased patient morbidity and mortality rates.

Evidence from the Literature

The literature supports the need for a strategic plan to address the nursing shortage issue. Studies have shown that the nursing shortage is associated with lower job satisfaction, higher nurse turnover rates, and decreased quality of care (Wadsworth, Felton, & Linus, 2016). Additionally, the nursing shortage has financial implications, with healthcare organizations spending more money on temporary staffing and overtime to compensate for the shortage (Fitz & Shaikh, 2018). Therefore, a strategic plan is necessary to address the nursing shortage issue, improve the quality of care, and reduce costs associated with temporary staffing and overtime.

Past Attempts to Address the Nursing Shortage

Various individuals and groups have attempted to address the nursing shortage issue in the past. For example, the American Nurses Association launched a campaign in 2002 to address the nursing shortage, which included advocating for increased funding for nursing education and workforce development (Weston, 2022). Additionally, healthcare organizations have implemented retention strategies, such as providing education and training opportunities, offering flexible work schedules, and providing competitive salaries and benefits.

Stakeholders in the Strategic Planning Process

Stakeholders that should be included in the strategic planning process include nursing leaders, nurses, healthcare executives, educators, and policymakers. Nursing leaders and nurses can provide insight into the challenges facing nurses, while healthcare executives can provide resources and support to address the nursing shortage. Educators can provide insight into the challenges facing nursing education, and policymakers can provide funding and support for nursing education and workforce development.

Financial Implications of the Project

The financial implications of the project for the organization include the costs associated with recruiting and retaining nurses, implementing retention strategies, and investing in nursing education and workforce development. However, the costs associated with the nursing shortage, such as temporary staffing and overtime, can be significantly reduced by implementing a strategic plan to address the nursing shortage issue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the nursing shortage is a critical issue facing healthcare organizations worldwide. The nursing shortage is caused by a combination of factors, including an aging nursing workforce, a lack of nursing faculty, and an increasing demand for healthcare services. A strategic plan is necessary to address the nursing shortage issue, improve the quality of care, and reduce costs associated with temporary staffing and overtime. Stakeholders that should be included in the strategic planning process include nursing leaders, nurses, healthcare executives, educators, and policymakers. By implementing a strategic plan to address the nursing shortage issue, healthcare organizations can ensure a sufficient nursing workforce to provide high-quality care and improve patient outcomes.