I Want to Be a Nurse and Help People

“I want to be a nurse and help people.” That is the heart cry of many of the nurses that I know and appreciate.

Not long ago, I shared my story of the help I received following a fall and the compassion and care I received.

Following that article, I have followed the world of healthcare and what it means. Much of what I publish is positive and uplifting. A few weeks ago, I shared an article about folks in the world of nursing making career changes. (I have friends that worked through COVID and I know it was mentally and emotionally tough. That is why we developed and  sponsored Adopt A Caregiver during the pandemic.)

One of readers reached out and expressed that they were concerned about the great need for nurses in this time and season. I agree. (I just found out that one of my favorite caregivers was leaving the profession.) Their hope was that young people would see nursing as an option. I received this.

How can we inspire young people to ENTER healthcare and take the burden off those stretched to their limit in understaffed units? We pay people to be trained as LNAs on-site with guaranteed jobs, then offer them money to continue in school. If the younger generation are looking for meaningful work, healthcare can be a good fit for many with big hearts, sharp brains, and healthy boundaries.

There are many reasons why we need more healthcare workers. Some of the main reasons include:

An aging population: As the population ages, there is a greater need for healthcare services. This means that more healthcare workers are needed to meet the demand.

Increasing rates of chronic diseases: Many of the leading causes of death in developed countries are chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. As these conditions become more prevalent, more healthcare workers are needed to manage them.

Shortage of healthcare workers: Even in the absence of an aging population and increasing rates of chronic disease, there is still a shortage of healthcare workers in many areas. This is particularly true in rural and underserved areas.

Long-term healthcare: With increasing life expectancy, more people are living longer and needing long-term care. This also increases the need for healthcare workers.

Better care: With more healthcare workers, patients can receive more personalized care, which can lead to better health outcomes.

Overall, having more healthcare workers is important to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare services.

There are several ways to help young people join the world of nursing and healthcare:

Education and training: Provide information and resources about educational and training opportunities in the healthcare field, such as nursing programs at colleges and universities, vocational schools, and on-the-job training programs.

Mentoring and networking: Connect young people with experienced healthcare professionals who can serve as mentors and provide guidance and advice on how to succeed in the field.

Scholarships and financial aid: Help young people access funding and financial assistance to pay for their education and training.

Workforce development programs: Work with local businesses, schools, and community organizations to develop workforce development programs that provide training and job placement assistance for young people interested in healthcare careers.

Promote diversity and inclusion: Encourage diversity in the healthcare workforce by creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities.

Encourage and provide opportunities for shadowing, internships and volunteer work in healthcare settings, which can help young people gain valuable experience, and make informed decisions about their future career paths.

Raise awareness of the profession: Highlighting the importance and benefits of the nursing and healthcare profession in the community through campaigns, events, and other outreach efforts can help attract more young people to the field.

Make it accessible: Make the process of becoming a healthcare worker as accessible as possible by reducing barriers such as cost and time.

By taking these steps, we can help young people discover the many rewarding opportunities available in the field of nursing and healthcare.

Let us help them reach to area hospitals and services to find out what the programs are that are offered.