Written Assignment 4 Midterm
Living in the Information Age
SOS-110-OL009
January 2015
Emerging Trends in Nursing There are many trends emerging today that will have an impact on our future. No one knows exactly what the future will bring, we as humans are only capable of making predictions. One of the most prominent areas seen affected by emerging trends in the past and present is the healthcare field. Various aspects of healthcare will continue to grow and shape our future including: the nursing workforce, innovative medical technology, etc. As healthcare needs continue rise and the population ages, I believe a shortage in nursing may be imminent based on these subsequent rationales that are discussed. On March 23, 2010 the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. Lanthrop and Hodnicki stated in their article, “It is the most expansive healthcare reform legislation in the United States (US) since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965” (Lathrop, 2014). The healthcare reform was put into legislation to decrease the number of uninsured Americans by providing accessible, affordable, quality healthcare. In 2011, it was predicted that the number of Americans uninsured would be reduced by more than half when the Act is fully implemented (Rosenbaum, 2011). “The law will result in health insurance coverage for about 94% of the American population, reducing the uninsured by 31 million people” (Rosenbaum, 2011). With the expanded access to health insurance provided by this law, more and more people are now seeking health care. Because of this new trend, the supply and demand for nurses and other healthcare professionals will be unbalanced. Another rationale for shortages has to do with the retirement of the aging population in the nursing workforce. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing and The Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers conducted a survey in 2013 indicated that the RN workforce consists of 55% that are age 50 or older
SOS-110-OL009
January 2015
Emerging Trends in Nursing There are many trends emerging today that will have an impact on our future. No one knows exactly what the future will bring, we as humans are only capable of making predictions. One of the most prominent areas seen affected by emerging trends in the past and present is the healthcare field. Various aspects of healthcare will continue to grow and shape our future including: the nursing workforce, innovative medical technology, etc. As healthcare needs continue rise and the population ages, I believe a shortage in nursing may be imminent based on these subsequent rationales that are discussed. On March 23, 2010 the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. Lanthrop and Hodnicki stated in their article, “It is the most expansive healthcare reform legislation in the United States (US) since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965” (Lathrop, 2014). The healthcare reform was put into legislation to decrease the number of uninsured Americans by providing accessible, affordable, quality healthcare. In 2011, it was predicted that the number of Americans uninsured would be reduced by more than half when the Act is fully implemented (Rosenbaum, 2011). “The law will result in health insurance coverage for about 94% of the American population, reducing the uninsured by 31 million people” (Rosenbaum, 2011). With the expanded access to health insurance provided by this law, more and more people are now seeking health care. Because of this new trend, the supply and demand for nurses and other healthcare professionals will be unbalanced. Another rationale for shortages has to do with the retirement of the aging population in the nursing workforce. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing and The Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers conducted a survey in 2013 indicated that the RN workforce consists of 55% that are age 50 or older