We Can Fix the Nursing Shortage in NC —and around the World

March 01, 2018In just six years, there could be over a million vacancies for registered nurses. But we can still avoid it.By 2025, North Carolina is projected to have the second-largest shortage of nurses in the nation —a deficit of nearly 13,000—according to a recentGeorgetown University report. Already, our rural populations lack adequate access to medical care because of physician shortages, and restrictive policies that limit the advanced practice of registered nurses in the state make the problem worse.Of the 80 rural counties in North Carolina,70 are currently designated “medical deserts” for their lack of primary care care that nurses could help provide if licensed to do so.There is a rich research base showing the positive impact of nursing on public health —as well as the public’s perception that nurses have the highest standards of honesty and ethics among American professions. Yet barriers to nurses practicing in both generalist and advanced roles remain in many places, in North Carolina and beyond.We need a flexible workforce, able to work to the top of its various licenses.Some of these barriers are simply resistance to adapting to the changing landscape of health care, which, everywhere, is becoming more sophisticated —and more expensive. If health systems are to survive, we need to look at costs and effectiveness, not cling rigidly to old roles and professional barriers.In North Carolina, aDuke University study has shown that less restrictive regu...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: news