When we talk about RN availability for hospitals, we have to keep in mind that there are challenges coming from three distinct places. First, hospitals have to find a way to handle RN availability with existing staff to provide adequate coverage and quality care for patients. Second, with the current age distribution of nurses and the limited number of new nurses entering the workforce, hospitals have a small talent pool from which they can hire RNs. The third challenge is budgetary. As hospitals try to resolve rising costs and revenue, hiring new nurses and training existing RNs for new skills in the face of increasing care complexity may seem financially untenable. However, innovative technology in the field of teleprofessionals can provide an all-encompassing solution.
RN Availability in Hospitals
Hospitals throughout the United States are facing another nursing shortage. More people are being admitted to hospitals each year. The current staffing model is stretching RN availability to its limits in order to provide coverage and care to patients. Nurses are also aging, and many are preparing for retirement, creating gaps in RN availability. The staffing and increasing care complexity is causing a disconnect in skill sets among RNs, and reskilling takes time and money. In many cases, the pressures within the hospital setting are causing RNs to experience a higher rate of burnout.
RN Availability in the Talent Pool
Nursing schools have limited seats, and not everyone who wants to become a nurse has the time to travel to those training courses. This means the number of RNs entering the workforce is not enough to adequately fill in the gaps. Instead, RN availability for hiring hospitals can at best retain the status quo, with the strains and burnout mentioned above. Additionally, younger RNs are less inclined to take nursing positions at hospitals that are not making full use of available and emerging technologies, and will take other roles in the healthcare industry, or pursue completely different careers.
Integrated Technology Improves RN Availability
Integrated technology, such as virtual nurses, teleprofessionals, and patient monitoring stations can improve RN availability within hospitals, attract newer RNs looking for careers in environments that utilize their advanced skills, and lower costs. Virtual nurses and teleprofessionals can ease workflow burdens by assisting with admissions and discharges, monitoring at-risk patients and bed stays, and helping new RNs. This frees up the workload of existing staff to form specialized teams and handle a greater number of patients, improve communication and response time, and provide higher quality care. Additionally, new technology can lower costs by helping to streamline tasks while improving coverage without needing to hire people to improve RN availability.
BANYAN is at the forefront of teleprofessionals and integrated technologies designed to improve workflow, RN availability, and patient care while lowering costs for hospitals to create a transformative experience. Contact BANYAN today to learn more about how our innovative methods and technologies improve RN availability in hospitals.