demographic and statistical trends

ZASHAGALKA, RN · May 29, 2006

Try your state BON for actual statistics.

For example, in Texas: http://www.bne.state.tx.us/files.htm#Statistical%20Information

Scroll down to 'statistical' information.

I would say that the stats of maturing instructors has the greatest impact. Our MSN instructors are far older, statistically, then the gen pop of nurses (no disrespect there, just fact). This will HUGELY impact our ability to train the next generation.

You might look at the ADN/BSN angle as an indication of management vs. bedside nursing. BSN have the capability to trend more away from the bedside.

The whole ADN/BSN debate (ADNs should be phased out by BSNs - there is a position paper on ANA's website abou this) has serious implications on recruitment/retention.

You might look at total # of nurses vs. those actually working in the field and how current unhealthy work environments have caused an exodus from practice (as supported by statistics.) Both ANA and Amer Assoc of Critical Care (aacn.org) have position papers on healthy work environments.

You could compare the maturing of the nursing workforce to the general maturing of the population and how this impacts care both today, and in the future, when MORE nurses will be needed.

Some states give statistical data on foreign born license holders; you could debate how that impacts current care (The current Senate bill on immigration would lift caps on foreign nurses coming stateside. It's not likely to be in a final bill, but there's a POLICY debate that can be backed w/ statistics.)

Just a few ideas. . .

~faith,

Timothy.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 30, 2006

try searching at the national center for health statistics at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/default.htm the center for medicare services compiles all kinds of statistic information on patient demographics as part of drg processing and many states are following suit with their medicaid processing as well. most of the statistics and trends you are looking for are probably studied by organizations like the american hospital association and even your own state hospital association. the problem is that the results are considered proprietary and you have to pay for the publications the results are printed in to get them. your best bet would probably be to enlist the help of the reference librarian since a library will be able to get access to some of these materials for you. some of the results of these studies may be printed in the official journals of these organizations and a librarian should be able to get copies of those articles. i did see that the new york hospital association has recently done a study on employee retention, satisfaction and recruitment. i recently read an article that quoted some statistics on california nurses which i think came from the board of nursing. nursing 2006 is always asking it's subscribers to fill out demographic information as well as what specialty they work in, especially when you send in the card for a subscription renewal. they run articles in their magazine from time to time on the results of these surveys that they do. this makes me think that the nln (national league for nursing) probably does studies on nursing trends all the time. but again, the information probably isn't free.

AuntieRN · May 30, 2006

Thank you so much for your assistance daytonite and zashagalka. I was at a loss. I will try all of your suggestions. I believe we do have access to a lot of articles and stuff you normally pay for through our school library. I will look into it. Thanks again and have a wonderful day!!!!