A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a professional degree for nurses in the United States that focuses on practical skills and evidence-based solutions:
Purpose: The DNP prepares nurses for advanced practice roles by providing them with the skills to apply research findings in clinical settings.
Specialties: DNP programs offer a variety of specialties, including adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, midwifery, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Career paths :A DNP can lead to a career as a post-secondary nursing instructor, working in a classroom or clinical setting.
Other nursing doctorates In the United States, the other two nursing doctorates are the PhD, a research degree, and the Doctor of Nursing Science.
Nurses are a critical part of healthcare and make up the largest section of the health profession. According to the World Health Statistics Report, there are approximately 29 million nurses and midwives globally, with 3.9 million of those individuals in the United States. Estimates of upwards of one million additional nurses will be needed by 2020
According to The American Nurses Association (ANA), more registered nurse jobs will be available through 2022 than any other profession in the United States. According to an article in the Nursing Times, The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 275,000 additional nurses are needed from 2020 to 2030. Employment opportunities for nurses are projected to grow at a faster rate (9%) than all other occupations from 2016 through 2026.
The nursing profession continues to face shortages due to a lack of potential educators, high turnover, and inequitable workforce distribution. The causes related to the nursing shortage are numerous and issues of concern. Some potential reasons are explored below.
Aging Population
On the whole, the population is aging, with the baby boom generation entering the age of increased need for health services. Currently, the United States has the highest number of Americans over the age of 65 than any other time in history. In 2029, the last of the baby boomer generation will reach retirement age, resulting in a 73% increase in Americans 65 years of age and older, 41 million in 2011 compared to 71 million in 2019. Nursing shortages lead to errors, higher morbidity, and mortality rates. In hospitals with high patient-to-nurse ratios, nurses experience burnout, dissatisfaction, and the patients experienced higher mortality and failure-to-rescue rates than facilities with lower patient-to-nurse ratios.
As the population ages, the need for health services increases. The reality is that older persons do not typically have one morbidity that they are dealing with, but more often have many diagnoses and comorbidities that require them to seek treatment. The population is surviving longer, as a whole, causing an increased use of health services as well. Many disease processes that were once terminal are now survivable for the long term. Treating these long-term illnesses can strain the workforce.
Aging Work Force
Like the populations they serve, the nursing workforce is also aging. There are currently approximately one million registered nurses older than 50 years, meaning one-third of the workforce could be at retirement age in the next 10 to 15 years. This number includes nurse faculty, and that presents its own unique problem, training more nurses with fewer resources. Nursing faculty are experiencing a shortage, which leads to enrollment limitations, limiting the number of nurses that a nursing school can generate. Decreased and limited faculty can cause fewer students, and the overall quality of the program and classes can decline.
Nurse Burnout
Some nurses graduate and start working and then determine the profession is not what they thought it would be. Others may work a while and experience burnout and leave the profession. Turnover in nursing seems to be leveling off, but only after years of steady climbing in rates. Currently, the national average for turnover rates is 8.8 % to 37.0%, depending on geographic location and nursing specialty.
Career and Family
Adding to the shortage problem is that nursing is still majority female, and often during childbearing years, nurses will cut back or leave the profession altogether. Some may eventually return, but others may move to a new job.
Regions
Current shortages and potential growth can be confusing when looking at regions and areas of the United States separately. Some regions have a surplus of nurses and lower growth potential, while other areas struggle to fulfill the local population's basic needs as a whole.
Nursing shortage amounts can vary greatly depending on the region of the country as well. Higher shortages are seen in different areas depending on the specialty of nursing. Some areas have real deficits when looking at critical care nurses, labor and delivery, and other specialties.
Growth
The fastest growth potential in the United States is projected for the West and Mountain regions, with slower growth in the Northeast and Midwest. A higher need is seen in areas that have high retirement populations. Despite these differences, every state is projected to have at least an 11% growth through 2022.
- United States
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for registered nurses (RNs) will increase by 6% from 2023 to 2033. This is faster than the average for all occupations.
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
The demand for psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) increased by 58% year-over-year in 2022. PMHNs treat mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
- Global
The WHO anticipates that there will be a global shortage of 9 million nurses and midwives by 2030.
Here are some average annual salaries for nurses in different countries:
- Switzerland: $99,839
- Luxembourg: $94,923
- Denmark: $83,888
- Virgin Islands: $80,916
- United States: $85,910
- Australia: $79,550
- Norway: $71,848
- Netherlands: $73,029
- Canada: $72,729
- Germany: $69,981
Factors that can affect a nurse's salary in the United States include location, experience, and specialty.
There are several countries that offer nursing courses abroad, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and US
Australia Has a high demand for nurses and offers many scholarships for international students. Some universities in Australia that offer nursing courses include the University of Canberra College, Macquarie University, La Trobe University, and the University of Sydney.
Canada Has a well-regarded healthcare system and is home to universities such as the University Canada West, University of Manitoba, and University of Regina.
UK Has many top universities and is a good place to work as a nurse after graduation. Some universities in the UK that offer nursing courses include Bournemouth University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Cardiff University, and Kingston University.
Types of nursing courses to study abroad
Studying nursing courses abroad can offer diverse opportunities. Here are some types of nursing courses you might consider pursuing abroad:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): This is a common undergraduate degree in nursing. Many universities worldwide offer BSN programs, which typically cover foundational nursing concepts, clinical skills, and theoretical knowledge.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): An MSN program offers advanced education in nursing and often allows for specialization in areas such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse administrator, or nurse researcher.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): A DNP is a terminal degree in nursing practice, focusing on advanced clinical practice, leadership, and evidence-based practice. It prepares nurses for roles as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) or for leadership positions in healthcare.
- Specialized Nursing Certifications: Many universities and institutions offer short-term courses or certifications in specialized areas of nursing, such as pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, critical care nursing, or community health nursing. These can be valuable for expanding your skills and knowledge in specific areas of interest.
- Clinical Placements or Internships: Consider programs that offer clinical placements or internships in healthcare settings abroad. These experiences provide hands-on learning opportunities in different healthcare systems and cultural contexts, enhancing your clinical skills and cultural competence.
What are the requirements to study nursing courses abroad?
The specific requirements to study nursing courses abroad can vary depending on the country, institution, and level of study. However, there are some common requirements you may encounter:
- Academic qualifications
- Entrance exams
- Clinical requirements.
- Visa and immigration requirements
- Financial documentation
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- English language proficiency test
Studying nursing courses abroad can open up diverse career opportunities worldwide:
- Specialisation: Advanced nursing degrees obtained abroad can lead to specialised roles such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse researcher, or nurse administrator.
- Research opportunities: Nursing graduates may engage in research projects, contributing to advancements in healthcare knowledge and practices.
- Leadership roles: With advanced education, nurses can take on leadership positions within healthcare organisations, influencing policy, management, and patient care delivery.
- Public health: Nursing graduates may work in public health sectors, focusing on community health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare advocacy.
- Travel nursing: Opportunities exist for travel nursing, where nurses work temporary assignments in different locations, experiencing diverse cultures and healthcare systems.
- Humanitarian work: Nursing graduates may engage in humanitarian efforts, providing medical aid in disaster relief, refugee camps, or global health initiatives.
- Academic careers: Some nursing graduates choose to pursue academic careers, teaching and mentoring future generations of nurses in educational institutions.
- Telehealth and technology: Nursing professionals are increasingly involved in telehealth services and healthcare technology, providing remote care and support.
- Entrepreneurship: Nursing graduates may start their healthcare-related businesses, such as private clinics, consulting services, or healthcare technology startups.
