Discussion Questions
Access the following information. You may read the PDF online or download it.
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2019). Brief summary of results from the 2018 national sample survey of registered nurses. https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/data-research/nssrn-summary-report.pdf (Links to an external site.)
Review the data and describe some of the key attributes/characteristics of this sample of the nursing workforce.
Discuss some of the data that you found interesting and include what you believe the purpose (intent) of sharing these results.
The instruments and tools that we use to collect data need to be reliable and valid. Define these terms and explain the importance of each. Share one way that can be used to collect data that you were not aware of or familiar with.
https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/data-research/nssrn-summary-report.pdf

Guidance

The 2018 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) provides a detailed overview of the U.S. nursing workforce, including demographic, educational, and employment characteristics. Some key findings include:

• Demographics:

  • The average age of RNs was 50 years, indicating an aging workforce.
  • More than 90% of the nursing workforce was female, though there was a gradual increase in male representation.
  • The nursing workforce remained predominantly White (73.3%), but there was increasing diversity, with 10.2% Hispanic/Latino and 7.8% Black/African American nurses.

• Education and Training:

  • More than 63% of RNs held a bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing, reflecting the push for higher education standards.
  • The report highlighted a growing trend in nurses obtaining advanced practice certifications such as Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS).

• Employment & Work Settings:

  • The majority (60%) of RNs worked in hospitals, with others in ambulatory care, long-term care, or public health.
  • Full-time employment was the norm, with part-time work being more common among older nurses.
  • Over 19% of nurses held more than one nursing job, indicating the increasing demand for flexible work arrangements.

Interesting Data & Purpose of the Report

One particularly interesting statistic was the increasing educational attainment of RNs, with a notable rise in BSN-prepared nurses. This aligns with initiatives like the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) recommendation for 80% of nurses to hold a BSN by 2020. Additionally, the aging workforce presents a potential nursing shortage as many experienced nurses approach retirement.

Purpose of Sharing the Report:

• Workforce Planning: Helps policymakers and healthcare organizations prepare for shortages and staffing needs.
• Educational Trends: Supports the push for advanced degrees and professional development.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Identifies disparities in representation and recruitment efforts for minority nurses.
• Public Health Impact: Assesses workforce distribution in underserved areas to improve healthcare access.

Reliability & Validity of Data Collection Tools

• Reliability refers to the consistency of a measurement tool. If the same survey were conducted multiple times under the same conditions, it should yield similar results.
• Validity refers to whether the tool measures what it is intended to measure. A survey assessing nursing workforce trends must accurately capture employment, demographics, and education data.

Why Are Reliability & Validity Important?

• Ensures data is accurate and useful for policy decisions.
• Prevents bias or misleading conclusions in healthcare research.
• Supports evidence-based workforce planning and policy changes.

New Data Collection Method

One data collection method I was unfamiliar with is geospatial analysis, which maps healthcare workforce distribution using GIS (Geographic Information Systems). This method helps identify nursing shortages in rural or underserved areas and supports targeted recruitment and resource allocation.

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Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Requirements

• Read the 2018 NSSRN Summary Report carefully.
• Address the key attributes of the nursing workforce based on the data.
• Discuss why this data is shared and its impact on nursing practice.
• Define reliability and validity and explain their role in research.
• Identify a new data collection method you were unaware of before.

Step 2: Organize Your Response

1. Introduction (1 Paragraph)

• Introduce the importance of workforce surveys in understanding trends in nursing.
• State the purpose of the NSSRN report and what it aims to achieve.

2. Key Characteristics of the Nursing Workforce (2-3 Paragraphs)

• Summarize demographics, education, employment settings, and workforce trends.
• Highlight significant findings, such as the aging workforce and increased BSN attainment.

3. Interesting Data & Purpose of the Report (1-2 Paragraphs)

• Identify a key trend or statistic that stood out.
• Explain the intent behind publishing the NSSRN report.

4. Reliability & Validity in Data Collection (2-3 Paragraphs)

• Define reliability and validity in research.
• Explain why these concepts are essential in workforce studies.

5. A New Data Collection Method (1 Paragraph)

• Describe a data collection method you were unfamiliar with (e.g., geospatial analysis).
• Explain how it enhances workforce planning.

6. Conclusion (1 Paragraph)

• Summarize key takeaways from the report.
• Emphasize the importance of accurate workforce data in healthcare planning.

Step 3: Final Review

Keep responses structured and well-organized using headings.
Use academic language and cite sources if required.
Proofread for clarity and grammar before submission.

Following this guide will ensure your discussion post is clear, informative, and meets academic expectations

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