RRL 2.

Factors Affecting Nurses’ Shortage – Literature Review

AUTHORS:Manana Machitidze1, Elza Nikoleishvili2* and Maia Gogashvili2

BROAD AREA OF INTEREST:

the shortage of nurses in Georgia and globally. The study aims to identify the factors
contributing to the shortage of nurses and the impact it has on the healthcare sector and nursing
education. It also highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the shortage
and improve the quality of medical services. The study emphasizes

VARIABLES OF THE STUDY:

1.Nursing Education Institutions: The document mentions that nursing education in

Georgia is provided by 5 higher education institutions and 21 vocational schools. This
indicates the presence of different institutions offering nursing education in the country.

2.Tuition Fees: The document states that the tuition fees for the first level of higher
nursing education in some higher education institutions in Georgia are lower than in
vocational schools. The range of tuition fees in higher education institutions is
mentioned as 1000-3500 GEL, while the average annual tuition fee in vocational
schools is 2000 GEL.

3.Shortage of Nurses: The document highlights the shortage of nurses worldwide,

including in Georgia. It mentions that the shortage is due to factors such as increased
demand for nurses, fewer people choosing nursing as a profession, and migration of
nurses from developing countries to developed countries.

4.Factors Affecting Nursing Shortage: Thedocument mentions that the shortage of

nurses is influenced by various factors, including financial and professional unpopularity,
inadequate information about the nursing profession, and the lack of recognition of
nursing as an independent profession.
 5.Nurse-Patient Ratio: The document states that the nurse-patient ratio in Georgia is
one of the lowest in the European region, with a ratio of 1 nurse to 0.62 physicians. This
indicates a deficit of nurses in relation to the number of patients.

6.Nurse Educators: The document highlights the shortage of nurse educators, which limits the
number of students admitted to nursing programs. It also mentions that the lack of highly
qualified nurses in clinics is directly related to patient safety and the quality of healthcare
services.

7.Future Impact: The document emphasizes the importance of addressing the shortage of
nurses and the correct analysis of research results to strengthen and contribute to the
development and popularization of the nursing profession. It suggests that addressing the
shortage will have a positive impact on the quality of medical services.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

The research design mentioned in the document is a cross-sectional research design. This type
of research design involves collecting data from a sample of individuals at a specific point in
time. It is used to gather information about the prevalence of certain characteristics or behaviors
in a population. In the context of nursing shortage, a cross-sectional research design can be
used to assess the factors contributing to the shortage and understand its impact on the nursing
education system.

PARTICIPANTS:

In Georgia, nursing education is provided by 5 higher education institutions, including

the University of Georgia, and 21 vocational schools. The number of applicants for
nursing is higher at the lower level of education, as the tuition fee for the first level of
higher nursing education is lower in some higher education institutions compared to
vocational schools. There is no second or third level of higher nursing education
(master, doctorate) available in Georgia.

RESEARCH LOCALE:
 The research locale mentioned in the document is Georgia. The document states that
nursing education in Georgia is provided by 5 higher education institutions, including the
University of Georgia, and 21 vocational schools. The document also mentions that the
country of Georgia has a shortage of nurses and a lack of Master and Doctoral Degree
Nurses. The shortage of nurses in Georgia is one of the lowest in the European region,
and the country ranks among the last in the world in terms of nurse-to-physician ratio.
Therefore, the research locale for the study on factors affecting nurses' shortage is
Georgia.

METHODOLOGY:

The study mentioned in the given document is a cross-sectional research design. It

aims to analyze the factors affecting the shortage of nurses. The study recognizes that
the shortage of nurses is a multifaceted issue with complex causes. It emphasizes the
need for a comprehensive understanding of the problem and the importance of a
scientific approach to address it. The expected outcomes of the study include
strengthening and contributing to the development and popularization of the nursing
profession, which will have a positive impact on the quality of medical services.

METHODS:

The document mentions that the research design used in the study is cross-sectional
research. It also states that the expected outcomes of the research are that the
shortage of nurses is multifaceted and has complex causes that combine economic and
social factors. The document emphasizes the need for a right approach to the problem
and a correct analysis of research results to strengthen and contribute to the
development and popularization of the nursing profession. However, specific details
about the methods used in the study are not provided in the given document.

FINDINGS:

The shortage of nurses is a global issue that affects both healthcare sectors and
nursing education systems. Factors contributing to the shortage include increased
demand for nurses, low interest in nursing as a profession, and migration of nurses from
 developing to developed countries. The shortage of nurse educators further limits the
shortage and improve the quality of medical services.

TITLE MAY BE PROVIDED:

The title that may be provided for the study is "Factors Affecting Nurses' Shortage -
Literature Review." This title accurately reflects the content of the study, which explores
the various factors contributing to the shortage of nurses worldwide. The study reviews
existing literature on the topic and highlights the increased demand for nurses in the
health sector and the declining number of individuals choosing nursing as a profession.

TELL ME HOW YOU WOULD INTEND TO DO YOUR STUDY:

Expected Outcomes:
The study aims to identify the factors affecting the shortage of nurses. The expected
outcomes of the study are to understand the multifaceted causes of the shortage, both
locally and globally. The study also aims to highlight the impact of the shortage on the
nursing education system and the quality of medical services. By analyzing the research
results, the study intends to contribute to the development and popularization of the
nursing profession.

Approach and Analysis:

The study will take a scientific and evidence-based approach to analyze the factors
affecting the shortage of nurses. The research results will be analyzed to strengthen
and substantiate the problem. The study will focus on the financial and professional
unpopularity of the nursing profession as key factors contributing to the shortage. By
addressing these issues, the study aims to promote the popularization of the nursing
profession and improve the quality of medical services.

Impact and Development:

The study recognizes that the shortage of nurses not only affects the healthcare sector
but also hinders the implementation of nursing education. The lack of nurse educators
limits the number of students admitted to nursing programs. The study aims to address
these challenges and contribute to the development of the nursing profession. By
providing a comprehensive analysis of the shortage and its causes, the study intends to
have a positive impact on the profession and the overall quality of medical services.
 Limitations:
The study acknowledges that the shortage of nurses is a complex issue with multiple
factors. It recognizes that political intervention by states may be necessary to address
the shortage effectively. The study also highlights the need for further research and
intervention to overcome the shortage and improve the nursing profession.

GAPS/INCONSISTENCIES

1.Shortage of Nurse Educators: The document highlights the shortage of nurse

educators as a significant factor contributing to the shortage of nurses. This shortage
limits the number of students admitted to nursing programs. Further research could
focus on strategies to address this shortage and increase the number of qualified nurse
educators.

2.Financial and Professional Unpopularity:

The document mentions that financial and professional unpopularity are factors
influencing the shortage of nurses. Research could explore the specific reasons behind
this unpopularity and identify potential solutions to make the nursing profession more
attractive to individuals.

3.Impact of Nurse Shortage on Patient Safety: The document suggests that an

adequate number of highly qualified nurses is directly related to patient safety. Further
research could investigate the specific impact of the nurse shortage on patient safety
outcomes, such as hospital stay, mortality rates, and patient reliability to the clinic.

4.Causes and Factors of Nurse Shortage: The document acknowledges that the causes
and factors contributing to the nurse shortage vary across countries. Research could
delve deeper into understanding the specific causes and factors of the nurse shortage
in different regions, taking into account economic, social, and cultural aspects.

5.Migration of Nurses: The document briefly mentions the movement and migration of
nurses from developing countries to developed countries, exacerbating the nurse
shortage within the country of origin. Further research could explore the reasons behind
 this migration and its impact on the nurse shortage, as well as potential strategies to
retain nurses within their home countries.

6.Nursing Education System: The document highlights the impact of the nurse shortage
on the nursing education system, particularly the shortage of nurse educators. Further
research could focus on the specific challenges faced by nursing education systems
and explore innovative approaches to address these challenges and ensure an
adequate supply of qualified nurses.

7.Comparison of Nurse-Patient and Doctor-Nurse Ratios: The document mentions

statistics on the ratio of nurse-patient and doctor-nurse, indicating a shortage of nurses
in many countries. Further research could compare and analyze these ratios across
different countries to gain a comprehensive understanding of the nurse shortage and its
implications for healthcare systems.

Overall, further research is needed to explore the specific causes, impacts, and
potential solutions to address the shortage of nurses. By addressing these research
gaps, policymakers, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions can develop
evidence-based strategies to strengthen the nursing profession and ensure the
provision of quality healthcare services.