Improvement Plan Tool Kit for Nursing Shortages (Annotated Bibliography)

Improvement Plan Tool Kit

This toolkit is specially designed for use in dealing with the nursing shortage and is divided into four essential categories. For each section, three annotated sources are given. In this broad array, the categories encompass general organizational policies for workforce planning and retention, educational interventions in nursing programs, considerations for workplace conditions and well-being, and technological solutions to improve workflow efficiencies. This toolkit provides a rich and useful body of content to assist nurses in developing strategies that they can implement and maintain in their workplace setting for the nursing shortage, which is such an important issue.

Annotated Entities

1. 1. Organizational Strategies for Workforce Planning and Retention

Badu, E., O’Brien, A. P., Mitchell, R., Rubin, M., James, C., McNeil, K., ... & Giles, M. (2020). Workplace stress and resilience in the Australian nursing workforce: A comprehensive integrative review. International journal of mental health nursing, 29(1), 5-34. https://sci-hub.yncjkj.com/10.1111/inm.12662

Badu et al. (2020) conducted a thorough integrative review of stress and resilience of the workforce in Australian nursing, including quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources published between January 2008 and December 2018. The study was a strict search of major databases. A total of 41 papers were finally screened from the initial results, among which 65.85 % used quantitative data, 29.26 % used qualitative data, and 4.77 % adopted mixed methods. The papers focused on resilience problems (48.78 %), workplace stress (46.34 %), and those addressing stress and resiliency totaled 4.87 %. The synthesis found that nurses typically have moderate to high-stress levels, leading them to draw upon different personality traits and workplace resources to cope with arising difficulties. Instrumental factors relate mainly to work-life balance, thoughtful work organization, and independence. Self-reliance is also essential; if a day at work requires significant effort, having the night to yourself by taking a break and meeting new people is good. Passion, positive thinking, and emotional intelligence are all types of self-efficacy (confidence in one's supports (formal and informal), effective leadership, and exemplary role models--such organizational resources are used to strengthen resilience.

This review is essential because it can identify nurses' coping strategies to overcome workplace stress and become more resilient. It highlights the critical influence of individual attributes and organizational resources in reducing stress levels. The review suggests a change in the focus of research to interventions that will lead to enduring improvements in mental health and well-being among nurses. This source offers nursing students a glimpse of the difficulties confronting the nursing workforce and the importance of resilience-building strategies.

Wei, H., King, A., Jiang, Y., Sewell, K. A., & Lake, D. M. (2020). The impact of nurse leadership styles on nurse burnout: A systematic literature review. Nurse Leader, 18(5), 439-450. https://sci-hub.yncjkj.com/10.1016/j.mnl.2020.04.002

Wei et al.'s (2020) systematic literature review, examining the relationship between nurse leadership styles and burnout from 2010 to 2019, gathers information from 18 selected articles. In line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search of all databases, including CINAHL, MEDLINE PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, was conducted. The review shines a light on the worldwide scourge of nurse burnout and emphasizes the critical part played by shared leadership among nurses in tackling this ubiquitous problem. Influential in reducing nurse burnout is authentic and transformational leadership styles. Analyzing the results, competent leadership helps to minimize burnout by endowing and developing nurse autonomy and engagement, adopting genuine and transformative administrative procedures, and creating a health-promoting workplace.

This source is significant for nurses, who can see that the relationship between leadership styles and nurse well-being is of primary importance. The results showed that nurse burnout is also of global concern and that, in particular, transformational leadership and authentic leadership have the most significant potential to relieve burnout. The study's conclusions call for a change in the style of nurse leaders, providing mental stimulation to influence nurses. However, the source is helpful for nursing students; in short, we shouldn't underestimate how the leadership style adopted in such settings can affect nurse burnout rates.

Pedrosa, J., Sousa, L., Valentim, O., & Antunes, V. (2021). Organizational culture and nurse’s turnover: A systematic literature review. International journal of healthcare management, 14(4), 1542-1550. https://sci-hub.yncjkj.com/10.1080/20479700.2020.1801160

To tackle the global and pervasive problem of nurse turnover, Pedrosa et al. (2021) say that in their systematic literature review, it has become clear that there is a very close relationship between nurse turnover and organizational culture. The study, published in the International Journal of Healthcare Management, covers a period from January 2014 to December 2018 and provides a systematic assessment regarding those factors within organizational culture that can lead nurses to turnover. The research points to the complexity and multifaceted nature of nurses 'turnover in healthcare organizations. The authors conduct a comprehensive analysis to point out the personal and institutional motivations behind the decision of nurses to give up their posts. Moreover, the review cites several retention strategies in the literature that have shown promise for reducing nurse turnover. The authors conclude, in brief, that nursing managers must seriously investigate why nurses leave. Turnover affects productivity and the quality of healthcare organizations.

The study urges nurses to take a comprehensive approach and calls on nursing managers to consider factors related to organizational culture, organizational climate, and leadership that should be reduced if we are genuinely trying to reduce the turnover rate for nurses across any particular healthcare setting. Pedrosa et al. stress that these findings should be included in shaping public policies. When drawing up strategies to prevent nurse turnover, decision-makers should bear in mind the population's requirements and professional groups' interests. The authors suggest that this issue deserves further investigation and is worthy of the attention of research institutions in Portugal. This source is significant for nursing professionals, managers, and policymakers who want an evidence-based understanding of the complex problems presented by nurse turnover in healthcare environments.

1. 2. Educational Interventions for Nursing Programs

Zaccagnini, M., & Pechacek, J. M. (2019). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Zaccagnini and Pechacek's (2019) seminal work, "The Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials: Therefore, including the four AACN standards most relevant to this book In response to the changes in healthcare that have occurred over a mere 13 years, the fourth edition is an essential reference for academics and students undertaking Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The number of such programs has expanded from two dozen a decade ago to over 300 and are now offered in every state. The textbook functions as a model, giving essential corrections and additions to current DNP curricula. In particular, incorporating additional DNP project resources and case studies adds richness to learning by showing how actual implementations of DNP projects influence everyday life.

The free Navigate 2 Premier Access with every print copy is essential for nursing students. This access also includes interactive lectures, competencies tailored to the DNP Essentials, case studies, assessment quizzes, a syllabus with discussion questions and assignments, and PowerPoint presentations. These are rich resources for nursing students 'education. They provide a rich and varied learning space conforming to the AACN Essentials. As the number of DNP programs increases, this source becomes a valuable guide. It also plays a vital role in preparing nurses for advanced practice roles as professionals.

Alluhidan, M., Tashkandi, N., Alblowi, F., Omer, T., Alghaith, T., Alghodaier, H., ... & Alghamdi, M. G. (2020). Challenges and policy opportunities in nursing in Saudi Arabia. Human Resources for Health, 18(1), 1-10. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12960-020-00535-2.pdf

Alluhidan et al. (2020) tackle KSA's huge nursing problems and major policy prospects. The nursing HRH perspective gives insight into some of the problems that have faced the KSA health sector, which is going through reform at lightning speed toward Vision 2030. These problems include constraints on nursing school capacity, heavy demand for ex-pats, labour market fragmentation, fewer nurses in the countryside than in cities and uneven quality. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Saudi Health Council (SHC) have jointly issued a case study. It is an assessment of current obstacles, together with strategic policy changes. Suggested interventions aimed to develop nursing into a profession, contributing effectively and excellently to speedy, quality healthcare for every Saudi. The most notable recommended measures are strengthening the nursing ladder and doing what is possible to retain nurses in their profession.

This is the most important source for nursing students, as it allows them to see the changing face of nursing in relation to an improving healthcare system in Saudi Arabia. There are several things future nurses should consider about these policy interventions, including plans to raise the quality of the nursing education track and further enhance its attractiveness, as well as make nursing practice more attractive and family-friendly. The emphasis on joint work throughout the health system and improving nursing leadership is also consistent with the general purpose of strengthening nurses 'role in making medical care better. This article will serve as a useful reference for nursing students in understanding the complexities and possible policy channels in the Saudi Arabian nursing environment.

Koukourikos, K., Tsaloglidou, A., Kourkouta, L., Papathanasiou, I. V., Iliadis, C., Fratzana, A., & Panagiotou, A. (2021). Simulation in clinical nursing education. Acta Informatica Medica, 29(1), 15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8116070/

The study by Koukourikos et al. (2021) is about the importance of simulation as a teaching method and a learning strategy in the nursing and medical fields. The purpose of this research is to explore the use of modern data regarding simulation in clinical nursing education. From a widespread literature review, the authors collected information from Medline, Cinhal and Scopus databases. Keywords such as nursing, simulation, simulator and nursing laboratory were the main themes for this research. These findings emphasize the key function of simulation as a stepping stone for students to practice clinical and decision-making skills to be prepared for scenarios they may one day face on the job. The research also underscores that simulation implementation is a risk-free environment that makes students feel secure and enhances self-esteem and confidence. The connection between theory and practice rests on this sense of security. Using more simulations and other methods of getting students to learn can be a huge help in assisting them with putting all the pieces together into healthcare professionals. Another important source is the practical value of simulation to nursing students in bridging the theoretical-practical gap. This highlights that simulation develops critical thinking skills and increases self-confidence, two crucially essential aspects in preparing students to face the challenges of their future stages as healthcare professionals. With nursing education constantly changing, the effectiveness of simulation is an important aspect that students must understand. They can only become skillful and successful healthcare professionals in a complex environment if they consider all aspects of the system.

1. 3. Workplace Conditions and Well-being

Jäppinen, K., Roos, M., Slater, P., & Suominen, T. (2022). Connection between nurse managers’ stress from workload and overall job stress, job satisfaction and practice environment in central hospitals: A cross-sectional study. Nordic Journal of Nursing Research, 42(2), 109-116. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/20571585211018607

Jäppinen et al. (2022) report on the severe degree to which nurse managers 'workload affects their overall job stress, job satisfaction and the practice environment within central hospitals in Finland. This study, which appeared in the Nordic Journal of Nursing Research, explores how nurse managers often face overwhelming workloads without proper resources and support. A study surveyed 490 Finnish nurse managers in central hospitals and found that almost one-fifth of them had stress levels resulting from a workload that was too high. Statistical analysis showed that high stress due to workload was strongly correlated with greater overall job stress, higher intent to leave the organization, and lower personal and professional job satisfaction. It also found a more negative perception of the practice environment.

The implications of the study are that nurse managers must have adequate resources, a clear division of work, and improved empowering structures to deal with their roles. This source is without equal for nursing students because it tells of the actual plights that nurse managers face and unveils how devastating their repercussions could be on their well-being and job satisfaction. These dynamics are important for nurse novices to understand because they begin to elucidate the organizational factors that affect both job stress and satisfaction. All of this helps prepare nurses for leadership roles in healthcare organizations in the future.

Niskala, J., Kanste, O., Tomietto, M., Miettunen, J., Tuomikoski, A. M., Kyngäs, H., & Mikkonen, K. (2020). Interventions to improve nurses' job satisfaction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(7), 1498-1508. https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/334619/Interventions_to_improve_nurses_job_satisfaction.pdf?sequence=1

Niskala et al. (2020) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis looking for interventions that could improve nurses 'job satisfaction, which was published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. We did a study that took place from 2003 to 2019. It was carried out using strict screening methods. From the databases of CINAHL, Medic and PubMed, we obtained 20 relevant articles. Most of the interventions analyzed were educational, including workshops, educational sessions, lessons and training sessions. The meta-analysis found that the two specific interventions (the Spiritual Intelligence Training Protocol and the Professional Identity Development Program) could significantly increase nurses 'job satisfaction.

These results illustrate the significance of long-term organizational strategies aimed at intrinsic motivation (such as spiritual intelligence and professional identity development) rather than simply adopting external reinforcements based on salary and rewards. This source has great importance for nursing students since it explains evidence-based interventions that may increase the satisfaction of those working as nurses. With a global shortage of nursing and higher turnover intentions, this becomes even more imperative for nurse managers and healthcare organizations. This source is a valuable reference for nursing students, providing a basis for the formulation of human resource strategies that take both nurses 'cleanliness and job satisfaction into consideration.

Lee, T. S. H., Tzeng, W. C., & Chiang, H. H. (2019). Impact of coping strategies on nurses’ well‐being and practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 51(2), 195-204. https://sci-hub.yncjkj.com/10.1111/jnu.12467

Lee, Tzeng, & Chiang (2019), in the cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, focused on how coping strategies influence nurses 'psychological well-being, practice environments, and safety attitudes. The study used a sample of 500 clinical nurses from one medical center in Taipei, Taiwan, and then employed structural equation modeling to analyze the associations among coping strategies, psychological well-being, practice environments, and safety attitudes. It was found that clinical nurses who used more orientation approaches than avoidant coping strategies experienced greater psychological well-being. Besides, psychological well-being was directly related to the practice environment quality and safety attitudes of nurses. A regulated pathway The research showed that the beneficial effect of psychological well-being on safety attitudes was mediated significantly by the quality of the practice environment.

This source provides invaluable insight into the relationship between coping strategies, psychological well-being and the wider working atmosphere within nursing. Knowing that mindset mediating techniques, which are typically approach-oriented, influence psychological well-being and hence affect the quality of working environments and safety attitudes provides concrete pointers for interventions. This is something that nursing students about to enter the profession have to know, and it shows how important it is for nurses, especially, to be able to develop effective coping strategies of their own.

1. 4. Technological Solutions for Workflow Efficiency

Kleib, M., Chauvette, A., Furlong, K., Nagle, L., Slater, L., & McCloskey, R. (2021). Approaches for defining and assessing nursing informatics competencies: a scoping review. JBI evidence synthesis, 19(4), 794-841. DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-20-00100

Kleib et al. (2021) carried out a scoping review published in JBI Evidence Synthesis to illustrate and map the current literature on defining and measuring competencies for nurses and nursing students in the field of nursing informatics. The extensive survey tracked studies defining the concept of nursing informatics competency as a mix of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The inclusion criteria were drawn from several different health or academic settings. The review identified 52 papers, of which 34 dealt with nursing informatics competencies and 18 reported on assessment tools for nursing informatics competency. The competencies were grouped into four broad categories: students, entry-level nurses, or generalist nurses; specific nursing roles; how to define core competencies at an international level; and future trends in developing competencies based on evolving roles. The review reviewed common themes across many competency lists while noting that there may be differences in domains and indicator statements.

This is an essential source, offering thorough insights into changing nursing informatics competencies. While the competency lists are valuable, further research is needed to achieve consensus on core domains and indicators. The review also stresses the importance of examining the psychometric properties of existing assessment instruments. Understanding this body of knowledge is critical for educators, administrators, researchers, and students facing the ever-changing field of nursing informatics competency.

Ang, R. J. (2019). Use of content management systems to address nursing workflow. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 6(4), 454-459. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235201321930078X

Ang (2019) reports in the International Journal of Nursing Sciences that content management systems (CMS) play a crucial role in nursing workflow optimization. Aware that nurses are frontline healthcare providers, the writer acknowledges the need for a combination of knowledge in nursing science and technical skills if quality care is to be delivered. Thanks to the development and application of information technology, especially electronic health records (EHRs), healthcare has become more secure in data storage and unified in information sharing. However, Ang highlights a persistent challenge: Nurses' ability to organize and process the enormous amount of data garnered from electronic health records into information, knowledge, or wisdom that can contribute to qualitative patient care.

The paper is notable for seeing content management systems as a solution so that nurses become developers in health technologies rather than users or consumers. The concept of CMS as a development platform allows nurses and other healthcare providers to address internal workflow problems without high costs for software development or extensive study in programming languages. It is also a valuable source for nursing professionals as well as educators. Only by such means will flow efficiency increase through empowering nurses to participate in technology development. The article emphasizes the importance of using content management systems as instruments to allow nurse-generated application development. This is just another voice in the discussion about how technology will influence nursing practice.

King, R., Taylor, B., Talpur, A., Jackson, C., Manley, K., Ashby, N., ... & Robertson, S. (2021). Factors that optimise the impact of continuing professional development in nursing: A rapid evidence review. Nurse Education Today, 98, 104652. https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/77655/1/Accepted_Manuscript.pdf

King et al. (2021) carried out a rapid evidence review in an article published in Nurse Education Today to determine the factors likely to enhance the impact of continuing professional development (CPD) in nursing. As the healthcare environment undergoes constant change, coupled with all that has transpired surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, CPD will become an even more important tool for the education of medical professionals. In light of this reality, and in pursuit of greater effectiveness for learning through CPD leading to development and improvement in the workplace itself, this article sought to clarify key interrelationships. The research question centered on enablers or enhancers of CPD impact at individual, team, organizational and systemic levels. The review covered a thorough search of the major databases, which yielded 39 relevant papers out of 3790 retrieved. Highlighted findings emphasized the importance of self-motivation, realism in practice applicability, and a preference for on-the-job learning, coupled with strong enabling leadership of nurses and an influential culture within workplaces for boosting the influence of nursing and Interprofessional CPD.

This study highlights the interrelationship among these factors in increasing CPD's potential to improve person-centered care and outcomes. This research thus stresses that educators and managers need to understand these factors in this changing healthcare environment, reminding us that any given area of implementation must address all optimizing elements for the benefits of CPD to be at its most effective. The results suggest further studies to quantify the worth of CPD for care recipients, nurses, and health service as a whole. For nurses, this source is a vital resource. It provides information to help educators and practitioners develop effective CPD strategies for nursing that will meet the complex challenges facing modern healthcare.