As National Nurses Week commences on Monday, May 6, it’s an opportunity for everyone to express gratitude and admiration for the dedicated professionals who tirelessly care for the sick, injured, and terminally ill.
From neonatal nurses celebrating new life to hospice nurses providing comfort during the final moments, nurses are integral to the healthcare system. They constitute the largest part of the healthcare workforce, serving as primary caregivers in hospitals and offering extensive long-term care nationwide.
Several restaurants and chains, such as Chipotle and Dunkin’, are showing appreciation by offering discounts and coupons to nurses. However, experts argue that more than just discounts, nurses require systemic changes at the federal level to enhance patient care.
A study published by the National Library of Medicine revealed that in 2021, nurses worked extensive overtime, equivalent to over 9000 full-time jobs. Another study involving over 50,000 registered nurses across different states found that a significant majority experienced increased workloads during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to emotional exhaustion, fatigue, and burnout.
Despite being hailed as heroes during the pandemic, nurses often lacked the necessary support and resources to fulfill their duties adequately. Many were forced to work without adequate protective equipment and faced unsafe working conditions due to cost-cutting measures adopted by hospitals and medical institutions.
Ensuring safe working conditions for nurses involves more than just providing personal protective equipment; it requires adequate staffing levels to prevent overworking and ensure quality patient care. Challenges such as understaffing, admission errors, and racial discrimination further hinder nurses’ ability to perform effectively.
It’s crucial to empower nurses to focus on patient care by addressing systemic issues and ensuring safe working environments. When nurses are overwhelmed with excessive workloads, patients are at a higher risk of medical errors, complications, injuries, and longer hospital stays.
National Nurses United emphasizes the importance of adequate staffing levels to mitigate risks and enhance patient safety, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to support nurses in providing quality care.
