Index Factors Contributing to the Global Nursing Shortage Ethical Recruitment of Nurses Ethical Response to Staffing Issues How to Alleviate the Global Nursing Shortage Conclusions References Nurses today play a critical role in maintaining a functioning healthcare environment . Many nurses have the same complaint: too much work, not enough nurses for everyone. There are three main components that make up this shortage: insufficient nurses to staff hospitals at a safe level, insufficient professors to teach the large number of affected students, and an increasing complexity of patient care. This problem is not limited to the United States. In fact, there is a growing shortage of nurses around the world. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 4 million health workers are needed globally. This growing problem has no simple solution. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Factors Contributing to the Global Nursing Shortage Although the nursing shortage is evident globally, some countries are affected to a greater extent. The American Hospital Association reported a 13% vacancy rate for nurses in the United States. Some southern African countries report vacancy rates above 30% (Peterson, 2004). One of the reasons for the greater shortage is that of the migration of nurses. The most common nursing migration that occurs is from low-income countries to wealthier countries. The attractions for a nurse to move to a wealthier country include: increased compensation, better nurse-to-patient ratios, greater educational opportunities, and potential for career advancement. This constitutes a vicious cycle of shortages in less developed countries. Although wealthier nations are among the beneficiaries of nurse migration, there is still a shortage. One of the major issues contributing to this shortage is the global lack of nurse educators. Faculty shortages at nursing schools across the country are limiting student capacity at a time when the need for registered professional nurses continues to grow. Budget constraints, aging faculty, and increasing job competition from clinical centers have contributed to this crisis. Recruitment of ethical nurses Nurse migration is often facilitated by the recruitment of foreign nurses. An estimate of nearly 20% of the U.S. nursing workforce is made up of nurses who received their basic nursing education outside of the United States (Squires, 2009). Some of these nurses are offered low-cost or even free training in their home country. A problem can arise when nurse training is supported by one country, so the nurse does not stay. Not only does the country lose the money provided, but it also loses the individual who could help provide desperately needed healthcare in the home country. Another challenge to face is that there are private recruiters who can take advantage of international nurses by garnishing wages or locking them into rigid contracts (Squires, 2009). Employers of nurses should do their best to ensure that they are practicing ethical international recruitment. But not all is bad, international recruitment can be valuable: as well as being mutually beneficial for both the hiring institutions and the international nurses, it creates a more culturally diverse workforce.0000335253.23789.98