What are the implications of a current nursing issue to society (see examples below)? What are the ethical concerns or questions that are implied in this issue?
Do an online search or Google search using such key words as "nursing and society" or "social issues in healthcare" or something similar. I went to several news sources on the web and found issues that impact society and health care. Think about things like food scarcity, local water pollution, vaccine availability, or issues related to the opioid crisis. Find one that you like, then look at the issue from the perspective of society as a whole (or from that of your own city or town) and then think about different members of society and how each might be affected by the issue, particularly from the perspective of health care. You should find your own issue of interest - just use these below as examples. (6) paragraphs
Societal Disparities (Health Equity): The shortage disproportionately affects communities that already face systemic barriers to health, such as low-income and rural populations. Facilities in these areas often struggle the most to attract and retain nurses, exacerbating existing health disparities. For instance, an elderly, low-income individual in a rural town might lose access to essential home health services due to staffing cuts, leading to preventable hospital readmissions and a lower quality of life. Conversely, a wealthy individual in an urban center may still access high-quality private care, widening the health equity gap.
Economic Impact: The shortage creates a cycle of high labor costs (for temporary staffing like travel nurses) that are often passed on to consumers and taxpayers through increased healthcare expenses. Furthermore, when communities are less healthy due to poor healthcare access, workforce productivity declines, and the economic burden of chronic illness rises, impacting the vitality of the local and national economy.
⚖️ Ethical Concerns and Questions Implied
The nursing shortage raises critical ethical questions rooted in the core principles of the nursing profession and social justice.
Sample Answer
A compelling current issue in nursing that significantly impacts society is the National Nursing Shortage and its connection to the overall Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Health Equity.
⚕️ Implications of the Nursing Shortage on Society
The escalating nursing shortage has profound implications for society, affecting the quality, accessibility, and cost of healthcare.
Impact on Healthcare Access and Quality: A reduced nursing workforce means hospitals and clinics may have to operate with higher patient-to-nurse ratios. This overburdens existing staff, leading to nurse burnout and potentially compromising patient safety through an increased risk of medication errors, missed care, and poorer patient outcomes. For the community, this can mean longer wait times in emergency rooms, delayed or canceled procedures, and even the closure of vital units or rural hospitals.