America can't hire enough nurses. But that's not the only problem (Advisory Board, 22 September 2021)

Summary

This article by Katherine Virkstis, Managing Director of the US health thinktank Advisory Board, looks at the growing problem of a nursing 'skills gap' in the US. She argues that this area is often overlooked, but needs to be tackled to ensure patients are safe. A recent boom in new nurses graduating means that the balance of the nursing workforce is now less experienced than it has previously been. The growing complexity of patients and care approaches in healthcare systems also means that the demand for highly-trained nurses with specific skills has increased. The author explains this as a widening 'experience-complexity gap' and suggests four strategies to close the gap:

1. Bolster emotional support and show staff your own vulnerability as a leader
2. Dramatically scope the first year of practise
3. Differentiate practice for experienced nurses
4. Reinforce experienced nurses' identity as system citizens

Content