Where Have All the Nurses Gone?
The next question is, how do we solve this crisis? I’ve been on the planet for quite some time. I love the role that music plays in our lives. It was 1955 when I heard Pete Seeger’s modern folk song, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” The song was political, lyrical and combined a Cossack folk song and Irish melody. Every time I hear the song, whether sung by Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary or anyone, I smile and reflect. I hope you’ll listen.
But change one word in that song title and you end up with a current-day crisis and challenge. When you take out flowers and insert “Nurses,” it’s serious, and it’s serious everywhere. Given the growing demand for healthcare services, reports suggest that an additional 1.2 million new registered nurses will be needed by 2030.
When we look locally, we see how big the challenge is. California is estimated to have the largest need. We need 387,900 RNs by 2030 and are predicted to be 44,000 short of that number.
To go back to song titles, I’m offering Marvin Gaye’s classic, “What’s Going On?” What are the causes of this crisis? Let’s start with a few factors:
Demand is on the rise. We now have the largest population over the age of 65 than at any time in history. In the last decade, the 65+ population has grown from 41 million to 71 million. That’s a 73 percent increase.
Retirements matter. The average age of our RNs is now 47 and nearly half are over the age of 50. It’s predicted that nearly one million nurses will retire between now and 2030.
There’s an educator exodus. Registered nurses must be taught by other nurses. One report noted that in 2020 over 80,000 qualified nursing candidates were turned away due to a lack of qualified faculty and clinical sites.
Nurses are spectacular individuals, and the profession itself is one of the most noble and dignifying. I’m grateful every day for our healthcare professionals and for San Joaquin County to have a high quality of life for every citizen, we must have the number of nurses we need.
This is a complex problem with no simple solution. To solve this challenge, we must acknowledge that we all can and should play a role. Can we do it here in San Joaquin County? Will we have the number of qualified RNs we need by 2030? My bet is yes.
It’s yes because we have terrific programs that prepare nurses right here. Think San Joaquin Delta College, UOP, CSU Stanislaus and more. We also have a wonderful Health Careers Academy as part of Stockton Unified School District offerings. Our medical centers throughout the county are world class.
Let’s build on this strong foundation. What should we do? Let’s consider.
Celebrate nursing to everyone you know. Encourage nursing as a career or second career to individuals who are compassionate, patient and understanding. These are some of the qualities that matter and if you see them in your friends and family members, regardless of age, let those individuals know they will do exciting work and make a difference.
Creating additional Health Careers Academies so our youth who have interest in health careers can focus earlier, have the chance to receive an AS along with a high school diploma, earn and learn through paid heath internships, and meet health career mentors who will help them with their next steps. I applaud HCA, and by my estimates of healthcare workers, we need at least five more HCAs across the county.
Learn more about the wonderful opportunities available at Delta College, UOP, CSU Stanislaus and other local institutes so we can become advocates for the difference they make.
Incentivize and encourage nurses to earn graduate-level credentials, so they can obtain leadership roles in advanced levels of care or become educators themselves. Without qualified faculty, we lose talented individuals who want to become nurses.
We’re all in this together. Our health and happiness are only better when we have the nurses we need.
By: Don Shalvey
Dr. Don Shalvey is the CEO of San Joaquin A+. He is widely recognized as an innovative leader in public education. Don’s career includes roles as a teacher and principal, ten years as superintendent in San Carlos, founder of both California’s first charter school and Aspire Public Schools, and 11 years as a deputy director for K-12 education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Shalvey is a frequent advisor to policy makers and school system leaders. The prestigious Ashoka Foundation recognized Don as a Fellow for his outstanding work as a social entrepreneur. Don brings a half-century of experience to the boards he serves, including his role as a Regent at the University of Pacific, the oldest chartered university in California. Don earned an EdD in educational leadership and administration from the University of Southern California, an EdM in counseling and guidance from Gonzaga University and a BA from LaSalle University.
don@sjaplus.org
sjaplus.org
