The percent of people 65 years and over living in nursing ...



Bumicha Kim

Professor: Sarah L. Dye

Argument Paper

ENG 098-201

12-12-06

Nursing in Nursing Homes

The number of older American is rising rapidly and is expected to increase more from 2011 as baby boomers reach age 65. Nevertheless, one issue that has been receiving considerable attention is the shortage of nurses in nursing homes. According to U.S. Census Bureau, 35 million people, 65 years of age and over, were counted in 2000 and 4.5 percent of them, around 1,557,800 people, are living in nursing homes in the United States. Meanwhile, the total number of licensed registered nurses (RNs) living and working in the United States was estimated to be 2,909,467 as of Mach 2004, but only 6.3 percent of them, about 183,296 nurses, are working at nursing homes and extended care facilities as their principal setting. Therefore, we need more nurses! General duties of the registered nurses (RNs) are treating patients, educating patients and the public about various medical conditions, providing advice and emotional support to patients’ family member, and record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, etc. In comparing nursing home to hospital work, most nursing homes emphasize that they take care of patients for an extended period, so they have to know patients and their families much more than hospital nurses do.

Registered Nurse is the name of the license granted to professional nurses by each state’s Board of Nursing. To earn an RN license, you must pass a comprehensive nursing test, called the NCLEX [1]examination, which is administered by each state. However, to sit for the NCLEX examination, you must complete a nursing education program that is approved by your state’s Board of Nursing. There are three different entry-level paths into nursing, each offered by a different type of school. The four- year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), offered by colleges and universities, is preferred by most nursing leaders and provides the best opportunities in today’s job market. The two- year Associate Degree, offered by community and junior colleges, focuses more on technical skills than theory and is often a stepping-stone to the BSN. The diploma experience prepares students for work in a hospital or other inpatient facility for about three years.

Job opportunities for the RNs in all specialties are expected to be excellent because of America’s aging population and the impending retirement of a large number of baby boomer nurses. In addition, the financial pressure on hospitals to discharge patients as soon as possible should produce more admissions to nursing care facilities. So employment in nursing care facilities is expected to grow faster than average and there will be an abundance of job opportunities for the RNs.

2004 National Sample Survey or Registered Nurses, conducted by United States Department of Health and Human Services, shows that the New England area of the country had the highest concentration of employed RNs in relation to the area’s population, 1,107 employed RNs per 100,000 population in March 2004. In contrast, the West South Central area had one of the lowest concentrations, 677 RNs per 100,000 populations.

According to Registered Nurses Occupational Outlook Handbook, issued by U.S. Department of Labor, median annual earnings of the RNs were $52,330 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $43,370 and $63,360. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74, 760. Median annual earnings of the RNs in general medical and surgical hospitals were $53,450, in home health care services were $ 48,990, in offices of physicians were $48, 250, and in nursing facilities were $48, 220. In addition, many employers offer flexible work schedules, childcare, educational benefits and bonuses.

Most nursing home and assisted living nurses have that staffing problems like the high resident- to- nurse ratio, poor morale, ambivalent administrators, undependable aides and denial of quality time for nurses to care for their clients. Nearly one-third of the nurses reported feeling powerless to make a change about these problems on national nursing survey conducted online by the American Nurses Association (Satterly 43). However, the best part of the RNs’ works is caring for their patients and doing worthwhile work. Thus, altruism is a strong motivator for them.

As the medical science develops, aging became a social issue. However, the number of nurses who take care of the old is absolutely short. Therefore, if you are entering nursing school now, you would not have to worry about the employment of the jobs when you graduate. So, if you have the passion and love to take care of the old, you will be a Nightingale of this era.

Sources Consulted

Buelow, Janet. “Long-Term Care Nurses Speak Out.” Nursing Home. Long Term Care Management. Mar 2002. Vol. 51 Issue 3, p50, 3p

Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2006-2007 Edition. Registered Nurses.

visited November 28. 2006.

Health Services. Guide to Career Choices: Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Killackey, Jim. “Caretaker Shortage Expected.” The Daily Oklahoman. 10 March. 2006.

Lisa Hetzel and Annetta Smith. The 65 years and Over Population: 2000. U. S. Census Bureau. U. S. Department of Commerce. Oct 2001

Nursing. Career & Technical Education: Elgin Community College.

Satterly, Faye. Where Have All The Nurses Gone? New York: Prometheus Books, 2004.

Sheryl Silver. “Nursing shortage leads to increased earnings and opportunities.” Sunday 4 Nov. 2001.

Unite States Department of Health & Human Services. Health Resources and Services

Administration. 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses

visited November 28.2006.

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[1] NCLEX : National Council Licensure Examination

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