Date of Award
1988
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Jack Kirk
Second Advisor
Michael Wood
Third Advisor
Stella Spalt
Abstract
This paper examines the issues which have encompassed the nursing profession for many years, thus making it a difficult career in which to attract and retain members. The nursing shortage, many say, has returned, but did it really go away? The shortage experienced in the 1970's was coupled with high admission rates and high employee turnover causing a shortage of nurses, particularly experienced ones. Then, hospitals faced the emergence of the federal government making major changes in reimbursement to hospitals. This caused a major shift in the cash flow system of hospitals. Also, costs were no longer reimbursed on a "fee for service" basis, but rather on a fixed rate. With the resulting shift of many services to an outpatient basis, the inpatient services have shown an increase in the acuity of illnesses seen and cared for by the nursing staff.
Recommended Citation
McFarland, Deborah R., "Where Have All the Nurses Gone? The Continuing Saga of the Nursing Shortage" (1988). Theses. 1063.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1063
Creative Commons License
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