In Response to: In search of staffing solutions

Dear Editor,

The article discussed creative solutions to combat the nursing shortage. I agree that it takes creativity, change management, communication, and persistence to come up with various strategies by nursing leadership to achieve the ideal staffing as defined by the 2023 Nursing Staffing Task Force.

In a related article by Jean (2023) there are six proven strategies nursing executives are using to combat the nursing shortage. These strategies include: Listening to nurses’ concerns, prioritizing workplace culture, adjusting protocol to meet nurses’ needs, increasing diversity and representation in nursing, addressing the need for nurse educators, and supporting nurses leading healthcare innovation (Jean, 2023).

In response to this national shortage, states have examined a variety of options to recruit and retain nurses. Specific policy levers include loosening licensing requirements, changing scope of practice laws, bolstering educational programs, and offering monetary incentives (Enlund, 2022). The hospital I work for has offered financial incentives to go back to school.

There are many different strategies to combat the nursing shortage. As a nurse, and future APRN I appreciate the strategies suggested by the authors in your article. The nursing shortage is a multifaceted problem that is not going to go away anytime soon. We need to work together and support our fellow nurses to continue to come up with innovative solutions to the nursing shortage.

Sincerely,
Katie Elwood, RN
Rochester, MN

References

Enlund, S. (2022, June 20). Addressing Nursing Shortages: Options for States. https://www.ncsl.org. https://www.ncsl.org/heal