COVID Disrupts Nursing Pipeline With Graduation, Education Delays

The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed nursing graduations and impacted clinical training due to hospital restrictions. Ethical concerns arise over student safety with low PPE supplies. Some schools use virtual simulations to ensure timely graduations, though not all students are comfortable with this. The pandemic has increased the demand for nurses, but the supply is not keeping up. Factors like an aging population, high turnover rates, and a lack of nursing educators contribute to predicted nursing shortages by 2025. The shortage could lead to lower nurse-to-patient ratios, affecting care quality and causing burnout.

What was one of the main reasons for the delay in nursing students' graduation during the pandemic?

• Increased tuition fees

• Inability to conduct in-person clinicals

• Shortage of nursing textbooks

• Lack of interest in nursing programs

How did some schools adapt to the challenges of conducting in-person clinicals during the pandemic?

• By using virtual simulations as a substitute

• By reducing the number of students admitted

• By offering online lectures only

• By increasing the number of clinical hours

What ethical concern is raised about having students in clinical placements during the pandemic?

• Students might not graduate on time

• Students might not be interested

• Students might not learn enough

• Students might not be adequately protected

What is one predicted outcome for the nursing workforce by 2025?

• An increase in nursing faculty

• A surplus of nurses in all states

• A decrease in demand for nurses

• Nursing shortages in 16 states

What factors contribute to the predicted nursing shortages?

• Decreased demand for healthcare services

• An aging population and high turnover rates

• Increased number of nursing schools

• Low turnover rates and an abundance of educators