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2020 – Year of the Nurse

Nurses, Thank You! ers. This special relationship is not enough nurses entering the profes- salary as they move from practice to aca-
The year 2020 has been often reported as the reason sion to replace those retiring or to meet demia. To encourage nurses to accept fac-
designated as the “Year why many nurses continue the demands placed on the tenuous ulty positions, incentives such as loan
of the Nurse” by the their profession into retire- healthcare system by aging baby forgiveness have been implemented. In
World Health Organiza - ment. Others chose nursing boomers. This deficiency in graduates addition to the barriers, there is a need to
tion (WHO) in honor of because of the diversity of can be attributed to lack of faculty, pre- increase not only ethnic but also gender
the 200th birth anniver- opportunities in which to ceptors, clinical sites, and budget limita- diversity of nurses.
sary of Florence Night - practice, ranging from high- tions. Nursing remains a predominantly
ingale. This is very fit- risk premature infants to frag- Nurses believe this nursing shortage female profession, but currently about
ting as Nightingale is ile elderly persons. School reduces the quality of their work life and 13% of all nurses in the United States
known for caring for sol- nursing, public health, emer- the quality of patient care. The stress pro- today are men compared to only about
diers who were gravely gency, home health, hospice, duced by working understaffed leads to 2% in 1960. The American Association
ill or injured in the BY DR. TOMMIE flight nursing, rehabilitation, many leaving the profession. There are for Men in Nursing provides information
Crimean War while also NORRIS informatics, and maternal many creative approaches being imple- for men interested in nursing as a career
using science and statis- child are only a few such mented to reduce these barriers. and supports men who are already nurs-
tics to advocate to provide proper med- options. Regardless of the field chosen, Partnerships between nursing programs es. Other nursing associations support
ical care which significantly reduced the the nurse is the bond between all health- and practice partners not only help with increasing diversity in the profession to
death rate. care providers and the patient. the budget restraints but often provide mirror the population of the United
Nursing is once again serving at the The Florida Center for Nursing fore- scholarships to students. States.
front lines during the current COVID19 casts that Florida will face a shortage of This partnership can also reduce the Who better to care for our diverse citi-
pandemic. Local and national news is registered nurses (RNs) by 2025 that time needed in orientation and reduce zens in South Florida than someone who
filled with displays of gratitude and could incapacitate our healthcare system the stress of the novice nurse entering the has experienced the community and wit-
recognition for all nurses who unselfishly while also limiting access to healthcare workforce as they are already familiar nessed the inequalities suffered by many
care for our most vulnerable citizens. for Floridians. The Health Resources and with the facility, staff, and patient popula- residents? Miami Dade College (MDC) is
According to the American Nurses’ Services Administration projects that tion. Preceptors are often the first proud of not only the diversity of our fac-
Association, the Gallup poll has once more than 1 million registered nurses impression of a “real nurse” that students ulty but also the diversity of our students
again identified nursing as the most hon- will reach retirement age within the next experience. Preceptors’ efforts can be rec- who mirror the ethnicity of South
est and ethical profession for the last 18 10 to 15 years. Just as America’s popula- ognized by credit to advance up the Florida. Nursing is a profession com-
consecutive years. tion is aging, more than 40% of Florida’s career ladder which often comes with prised of compassion and knowledge – a
Nursing is our nation’s largest health- nurses are approaching retirement age monetary awards and recognition. profession that truly makes a difference.
care profession. Nurses are the member within the next 10 years. The U.S. Bureau Unfortunately, preceptors not only
of the healthcare team that work closely of Labor projects employment of regis- serve students but also are often pulled to Dr. Tommie Norris is Dean of the
and advocate for their patients often shar- tered nurses will increase 12% from 2018 orient a new nurse, causing a strain on Benjamín León School of Nursing.
ing confidential information and gaining to 2028 exceeding all other occupations. the time they have to share their expert- For more information,
both respect and trust of not only the Unfortunately, although nursing schools ise with students. Accepting the role of contact mdcinfo@mdc.edu
patient but the family and significant oth- are actively recruiting students, there are nursing faculty may also mean a cut in or call (305) 237-8888 .

Ol drlando
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Tampa

Celebrating Nurses Everywhere
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Seeing the world beyondd our front door
Global Nursing perspecttives:
and helping others to payy it forward
Whether you ar e just sstarting in the field of nursinng, or looking to move your Wesst Palm Beach
car eer forwar d, South University can elevate your journey as a car egiver .

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South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com May 2020 19