Best Approaches to Nursing Shortage and Nurse Turnover

Approaches To Nursing Shortage and Nurse Turnover
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Introduction
Leadership and management are two components that have been utilized to guide and solve arising issues in any given situation. Nurse shortage and high turnover are one of the problems crippling the health system in many nations. It has affected the quality of health care which is trivial to the proper growth and development of nations. Leadership and management skills approach the crisis and solve the situation in different ways. In many instances, the two words have been used interchangeably. However, the approaches of each technique are different. Both techniques apply specific principles to resolve the crisis of the nursing shortage. In general, leadership technique is aimed at solving the issue on a personal level. This includes inspiring, motivating and use of transformational leadership to retain nurses and reduce the turnover (Jones, 2007). Management skills, on the other hand, are aimed at an organizational level. In the management, factors that will contribute to the thriving of the organization such as tasks, working time, and available resources are applied to help solve the crisis. The paper discusses leadership and management pertaining to nurse shortage and nurse turnover and explains the philosophical stand between management and leadership.
Causes of nurse shortage and nurse turnover
Before the utilization of management or leadership techniques in resolving the shortage and turnover, it is best to understand the driving factor behind the crisis. In many scenarios, nursing shortages arise from three main factors. This includes a steep population growth, thus a growing need for health services. This is accompanied by a diminishing number of nursing student and graduates (Huber, 2013). Finally, this has led to the characteristic elderly nurses working in hospitals. In overall, the decreased input of young nurses is slowly leading to an aging nursing workforce. Nursing is a physically and psychologically trying job (Jones, 2007). Other factors include the work not matching expectations, lack of respect, and lack of clarity in roles. Identifying and understanding the problem will help define the approach to the problem.
Contrast between leadership and management
In the leadership, there are followers while, in the management, there are subordinates. In the management, the subordinates are expected to follow the authoritarian figures. On the other hand, in leadership the followers choose to follow the leader voluntarily. In resolving the nursing shortage and nurse turnover, managers are used to produce order. On the other hand, leaders are used to producing change. Therefore, it follows that the tasks of managers include coordinating, time management, budget and cost planning and management. Managers are also involved in decision-making and problem solving. Leadership in resolving nursing shortage includes team building, persuasion, mentoring and coaching.
The contrast as applied in the nursing shortage and nurse turnover is seen by considering specific remedies provided. In transformational leadership, the nursing shortage and turnover are resolved by aiming at the individuals involved to produce ...