Nursing is a profession that commands a great deal of respect, especially since the coronavirus pandemic. It is easy to see why so many people want to become a nurse, as they play such a major role in healthcare and provide both care and support for patients. Much like any profession, nursing is always changing, and there are several trends in nursing right now that are changing the landscape. It is important for nurses and aspiring nurses, along with any healthcare professionals, to be aware of what these trends are and how they could affect the profession in the coming years. Read on to discover a few of the main trends in nursing right now.

 Nurses Seen As Heroes:

 As mentioned, nurses command a great deal of respect, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic. Nurses and other frontline workers have been heroes during the pandemic and will continue to play a major role in the months to come. They have been vital in the battle against COVID-19, and they deserve all of the respect that they are currently getting and more. Moving forward, this could mean better pay for nurses and other frontline workers, as well as more people looking to become nurses in such a respected profession. Additionally, The World Health Organization designated 2020 as The Year of the Nurse & Midwife in honor of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale – you can learn more about the history of nursing and how to start training as a family nurse practitioner at this website.

 Mental Health Problems & Burnout:

 Unfortunately, the pandemic has also taken its toll on nurses and other frontline workers, with many suffering from mental health problems and burnout. These were both problems in nursing and healthcare prior to the pandemic but have now been made much worse, so it is important that nurses have access to support and that they know how to spot signs of mental health issues and/or burnout in themselves and take action before it becomes a problem.

 Employee Wellbeing:

 Leading on from this point, employee wellbeing will be a major trend moving out of the pandemic (and not just in healthcare). The impact of the pandemic will be long-lasting, and employers will need to do all that they can to look after their staff, especially groups like nurses who will have suffered greatly as a result and are likely to need a great deal of support.

 Greater Benefits:

 Currently, there is a shortage of nurses in the US, which is creating challenges in healthcare, which is largely due to the aging population and the country’s increasing demand for healthcare. Even before the pandemic, many places were suffering a shortage, so it is no surprise that so many are now struggling and are burnt out. This means that it is likely that there will be greater benefits for nurses moving forward in a bid to encourage more people to train. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses are one of the top roles anticipated for growth, with a growth rate of 12% between 2018 and 2028. This means that now could be a great time to train as a nurse for anyone looking for a rewarding career.

 Greater Influence:

 Despite the clear major role that nurses play in healthcare, they have struggled to have much influence on healthcare systems in years gone by, which is largely due to underrepresentation on governing boards. This is now changing after a major national coalition effort to place 10,000 nurses on boards by 2020, which should allow nurses to have a louder voice and a bigger influence on healthcare in the future.

 Male Nurses:

 Historically, nursing has been seen as a feminine profession. While there have always been male nurses, there is now an increasing number of male nurses as many are realizing just how rewarding this work can be, along with the earning potential, flexibility, and respect that can be earned with this role.

 Telehealth:

 Telehealth has risen sharply during the pandemic as a way for people to safely receive healthcare and support, whether this is by video call or phone. This was on the rise prior to the coronavirus pandemic but has now become the norm, which means that it is likely to continue even once the pandemic ends. Diabetes telemedicine can bring many benefits because it means that people do not have to make their way to and from a healthcare facility, it can make work much easier to manage for staff and other healthcare workers, and it also makes it easier for nurses to check-in on patients to see how they are doing.

 Online Training:

 Following on from this, the way in which nurses are learning is also changing, with many now opting for online training along with clinical placement. Online learning is much more flexible and allows a nurse in training to fit it around their schedule. Plus, they do not have to move to a completely new area to study at a good school. This should also help to address the nursing shortage as it will become much easier for people to earn a qualification, and they could even juggle their studies with work.

 Specialization:

 With so many options now available to nurses, many are choosing specialist areas as a way to advance their career as well as work in areas that they have a passion for. Mental health is one area that is becoming popular, and it is easy to see why, as well as children’s nursing, nurse-midwifery, and orthopedics, to name just a few areas. This is likely to only increase over time, especially with the rise of online training programs, job growth, and growing demand for healthcare.

 These are just a few of the main trends affecting nursing and healthcare in 2021, which is clearly a pivotal time for nursing due to the pandemic. It is clear that it has been a tough period for nurses, but there are also plenty of positive signs for the future and for anyone interested in joining this noble profession.

Read Also:

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