You At Your Best

Sources: Arkansas State Board of Nursing, American Nursing Association, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau Nursing by the numbers Back and musculoskeletal on-the-job injuries suffered by nurses each year that are significant enough to prevent them from working 35,000 + In fact, nurses face a greater risk of injury than factory workers, construction workers and other jobs involving nothing but physical labor. 52,000 Licensed nurses in Arkansas 3,280 Approximate number of nurses in NWA That's 30% of health care employees Average distance nurses walk per shift 4-5 miLeS Time spent by nurses standing on their feet in a typical workday 12 + HoUrS 200,000 New registered nurse positions created each year from 2016-2026 Registered nurses in the U.S. today, the highest percentage of the US healthcare workforce miLLioN 3.8 Shortage of nurses by 2022 miLLioN 1 6 NUrSeS for every 1K reSiDeNtS in NWA 9 NUrSeS for every 1K reSiDeNtS nationwide Number of the nation's registered nurses who hold a master's degree 17.1% Expected employment growth of registered nurses between 2018 and 2028 That's more than double the average growth estimate for all occupations 15% 100 + specialties within the field of nursing By kaREN RICE Chances are, you know someone who is a nurse. Few fields are as demanding. Or as vital to the health of our community. Nurses are the first point of care for many patients. In some communities, the only one. They help usher new life into the world, or hold a hand at the end of it. Nurses put in long hours and work in an increasingly complex medical environment. They dispense immunizations and health advice. They make lifesaving decisions. Dr. Ernest Grant, President of the American Nurses Association pointed out in a January 2020 interview with National Public Radio that the nurses of 40 years ago have evolved into someone more highly trained and specialized. "Nurses are everywhere, in business, research, aerospace," he said. "They contribute to the change in healthcare. They are the largest component of healthcare workers." But the bad news is this: "We don't have enough," he lamented. "By 2022, there will be a 1 million shortage of nurses, especially in rural areas." He also notes that nurses endure particular stresses among healthcare workers, experiencing hands- on abuse and verbal abuse. Some states have even begun passing laws to curb this behavior. Pamela Cipriano, First Vice President of the International Council of Nurses and Dean of University of Virginia School of Nursing, pointed out that short staffing, long shifts and double shifts lead to burnout, a big issue in nursing. "Nurses experience stress at about twice the level of the public. Nurses need time for renewal and support in their work environment," she noted. "If there's not enough staff it's physically and emotionally challenging. Some is emotional exhaustion, some is physical duress. A good work environment, staffing, feeling like they are part of the decision-making process is important. Absence of those things contribute to burnout." The human touch means so much, Cipriano said, and is so important to healthy outcomes. Nurses are the ones who provide that. The ANA and other organizations are working to help nurses get the respect they deserve and give them tools to help them navigate a highly stressful and increasingly complex profession. Now, more than ever, it's time to thank a nurse and recognize all they do for our lives and our communities. A challenging profession is being asked to do more sUNDay, aPRIL 26, 2020 | May - #THaNkaNURsE NWaDG.COM/yOUaTyOURBEsT | yOU aT yOUR BEsT | 9

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