Renfrey Hospital

Renfrey Memorial Hospital Proposal

Adriane McCann

MHA 601: Principles of Health Care Administration

Instructor: Dr. Rashida Biggs

May 16, 2011

Introduction

While the US has more nurses and physicians than ever before, upcoming

retirements and a dysfunctional workplace are creating clinical shortages that can

become more severe than the industry can bear (Woods, D. 2009). According to

research, half of all nurses working today were born during the baby-boomer years.

Therefore, the workforce is aging at a rapid rate. As such, in efforts to prevent a mass

exodus from the profession, healthcare organizations leaders are exploring innovative

ways to keep experienced nurses (Larson, J, 2009). The average age of registered nurses

has risen from 41 in 2002 to 48 in 2006 (Bolton-Burnes L. 2007). Even more

troubling, in 2006, 45% of hospital-employed RNs were at least 50 years old. Only

12% were 34 years old or younger (Bolton-Burnes, L. 2007). The average age of

the American nurse has increased from 42 to 46 in just a few years. Given this

fact, experts predict that more than 50% of this population will retire by 2020.

Proposal for the Board at Renfrey Memorial Hospital:

As the members of the nursing profession are aging, the demand for skilled nurses is increasing. Based on a statistical assessment of healthcare providers, registered nurses (RN) comprise the largest group of healthcare practitioners. Given this reality, registered nurses have a significant impact on the healthcare system. There is a shortfall of nurses throughout the United States that will grow more serious over the next 20 years (Falk-Huzar, E 2011).

While everyone is struggling with how to maintain the knowledge and skill base these nurses represent in the organization, ultimately, it is the goal for hospitals and healthcare organizations to succeed by keeping productivity up and labor costs down ( Bolton-Burnes, L. 2007). Significant cost savings are realized...