The nursing shortage isn’t unique to Pennsylvania, and the problem has been slowly worsening over time. However, Pennsylvania is feeling the effects of a state-wide nurse shortage. Let’s look at the factors contributing to the nursing shortage and the impact this has on society at large. We’ll also share the hard data that brought this trend to light.

The Hard Data

Pennsylvania has over 180,000 nurses in its official registry. However, that number isn’t static. Existing nurses retire or quit, and they may or may not be replaced by people entering the profession.

A 2009 report found that enrolment in nursing schools was below the levels necessary to meet increasing demand due to an aging population, and the incoming talent may soon be outstripped by retirements. The average age of registered nurses is increasing since there are fewer young nurses coming in to replace those who retire or leave the profession. Approximately two-thirds of nurses surveyed were found to have been nurses for fifteen years or more. Another sixth had been nurses for three to eight years.

Nor could nursing schools simply expand enrolment to train new nurses since nursing schools themselves were struggling to fill faculty positions. Nationwide, nursing schools turned away almost eighty thousand potential bachelor and advanced degree applicants due to faculty shortages. Ironically, this hurts the faculty shortage since you need an advanced nursing degree to become a nursing faculty member. [Read more…]

By Lisa Romano RN, MSN, CNO CipherHealth

In celebration of Nurse’s Week, there are many inspiring messages expressing gratitude for the contributions of nurses everywhere. No matter the type of nursing, the theme is the same. The life of a patient or their family was touched in a positive way by a caring nurse and the memory of how that felt to the person is a treasured one. Maya Angelou wrote, “They may forget your name, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” Helping someone who is suffering feel less pain and facilitating their healing journey is a priceless gift for both the nurse and the patient. It is this relationship, that nourishes a nurse’s soul.

Not surprisingly, the mission of caring aligns with the goals many healthcare organizations set for the patient experience. It is distressing for the nurse and other members of the care team when a patient is unhappy. It is hard not to give in to feelings of despair when you feel like you have saved their life and they are still dissatisfied. What else can you do beyond life-changing, life-sustaining interventions?

The answer may be as simple as recognizing communication as an essential practice and an actual clinical intervention. When the voice of the Patient is placed at the center of care delivery, amazing things happen! When you take the time to listen and communicate compassion with your words and actions, the healing journey truly begins. It is important to remember that when a patient is faced with no control over their illness, they will cling to things that they can control. Choices of food, room temperature, noise, response time to requests, and room cleanliness may seem trivial when compared to critical care needs, but they are something the patient can normally control and can dramatically alter the course of the healing journey. [Read more…]

A majority of America’s nurses admit they are stressed out, consuming too much junk food and getting too little sleep, says a Ball State University study.

The Impact of Perceived Stress and Coping Adequacy on the Health of Nurses: A Pilot Investigation, published in the online journal Nursing Research and Practice, found that nurses with high stress and poor coping had difficulty with patients, working in teams, communicating with co-workers and performing their jobs efficiently.

“This study reveals stress takes a toll on nurses’ health and they need better ways to handle it,” said Jagdish Khubchandani, a Ball State health science professor who was part of a multi-university team that examined how nurses cope with stress. “Nurses need to improve their lifestyles and health behaviors, take advantage of all health benefits available to them and learn to manage stress and conflicts at the workplace.” [Read more…]

Name: Nicole Chmill

Position at MedExpress: Registered Nurse

Center you work at: Pleasant Hills, PA

Year you began working at MedExpress:

I began working at MedExpress in 2013 as assistant customer service representative while attending nursing school. I then advanced to a medical assistant position. In 2015, I became a full-time registered nurse at MedExpress.

Why did you choose your profession?

I chose my profession because of the diversity nursing offers. There are so many opportunities for nurses, especially here in Pittsburgh.

What do you like best about your job?

What I love most about my job is connecting with patients on a personal level.

What do you like best about MedExpress? 

I love the broad spectrum of illness and injury we see. There is never a dull moment at MedExpress!

Activities you enjoy outside of MedExpress?

I love to read! I am currently reading Call the Midwife, which is a great read about nurse midwives in England in the 1950s. I also love to spend time outdoors with my husband and two sons.

If you could be anyone for one day, who would you be?

Always be yourself. Unless you can be a unicorn. Then always be a unicorn.

If you were forced to sing karaoke, what song would you pick?

I would probably sing “Rich Girl” by Hall & Oats because it brings back fun memories of karaoke with my friends.

Dream travel destination?

I have always wanted to visit Alaska and go whale watching. I would also like to travel to Italy and back pack through the country to see the land – and, of course, taste all the food and wine!

Fun fact? I’m getting a Great Dane and my husband doesn’t know it.

Name: Christine Stahurski

Position at MedExpress: Registered Nurse

Center you work at: Robinson Township, PA

Year you began working at MedExpress:

November 2014

Why did you choose your profession?

I enjoy helping people and attempting to put a smile back on their faces.

What do you like best about your job?

Knowing that I play a small part in making people feel better.

What do you like best about MedExpress? 

My work family is the best!

Activities you enjoy outside of MedExpress?

Spending time with my family, traveling, and walking my two dogs, Shelby and Lucy.

If you were forced to sing karaoke, what song would you pick?

“Brown-Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison. It’s such a catchy tune!

Dream travel destination?

I would love to travel all over Italy to experience the food, wine, and love of the country.

Commemorating National School Nurse Day today, the Highmark Foundation announced 11 winners of its third annual Advancing Excellence in School Nursing Awards, created to honor and recognize the important role that school nurses play in keeping children healthy. Award winners each receive $1,500 to use for professional development or health-related programs at their respective schools.

“I continue to be impressed by the advanced knowledge and skills demonstrated by school nurses,” said Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook. “With an increasing number of children entering schools with chronic conditions such as cardiac issues, autism, autoimmune diseases and cancer, school nurses face the challenge of managing their care during the school day. These 11 extraordinary school nurses are going above and beyond to protect and improve the health of the students in their care.”

The awards were presented in four categories, highlighting the dynamic role of school nurses: [Read more…]