3 Factors that Make Nurses the Backbone of Hospitals

Nursing is a career that plays an important role in society. Nurses do their best every day and every night to provide quality, safe care. Throughout their shift, nurses constantly check on their work and the work of others to ensure patient safety.

So, it should come as no surprise that hospitals rely heavily on their nursing staff. Below are three ways in which nurses are indispensible and truly the backbone of hospitals.

Largest Number of Hospital Employees

Nurses comprise the largest single component of hospital staff, are the primary providers of hospital patient care, and deliver most of the care prescribed by physicians. If hospitals were football teams, nurses would be the whole offense and defense. The special teams would be the rest of the staff plus a couple nurses. Not only are nurses vital to the patient care, they are also members of the administration and management team. The Chief Nursing Officer is generally the second in command in a hospital. Nurses evaluate the care given and through research and best practice models improve patient care. The Quality Assurance officer is generally a nurse.

Care for Growing Number of Patients

We are living healthier and longer, but we need care from nurses to keep us that way. Baby Boomers are turning at the rate of about 10,000 per day; By 2030, people 65 and older will make up almost 20% of the population. That means more senior patients will need more nurses. Combine that with an increase in nurses 65 and older who are retiring and the need for nurses climbs even higher.

Improving Hospital Quality

Nurses are of the utmost importance when it comes to hospital quality. Everything they do affects the outcome of care patients receive, as well as the general impression a hospital gives to the public. From bedside and medication management to assistance with surgeries, nurses are involved. Nurses also fill management roles at the hospital, as well as train and oversee other nurses and staff. Plus, more often that not, it is a nurse that will educate patients and family members regarding continuing and post hospital care during discharge.

Nurses are not just important to hospitals, they are important to the country. Registered Nurses comprise one of the largest segments of the U.S. workforce as a whole. And around 58% of RNs worked in hospitals.

Nursing, unlike many fields, is growing and the schools cannot keep up with demand. Are you ready to join the ranks of our nation’s nurses? If so, Athena Career Academy can help. Contact us today to see which of our nursing programs is right for you.