[Prerna Wilson-Pauliah]

Thank you for sharing this article, David. It is known that there is a huge shortage of healthcare providers in the United States – so Drs. Mundinger and Carter are right to be concerned about the growing movement of DNPs into the non-clinical settings. However, like Wichanee pointed out, DNPs are seeking employment opportunities that will provide them a better work-life balance, compensation, and job satisfaction. On the other hand, I see this as a great opportunity for DNPs to bring their perspective to the table and affect change from other angles in healthcare. However, I think it is important to evaluate why nurses might be choosing nonclinical settings – I would go on a limb to maybe suggest that this could be related to lack of support and compensation in the workplace.

[Prerna Wilson-Pauliah]

This is a very interesting video. I currently work in labor and delivery and definitely see the need for this especially when we get really busy. I have also worked in a Surgical ICU and can see this being of great help in that setting. However, I would be interested to know how this would impact the patient and healthcare facilities financially. Further, how would this be implemented? If each nurse were to have their own scribe, that would double the number of personnel on a unit. How would that impact space? Also, to pay for the cost of hiring nurse-scribes, would that mean that each nurse will have a greater patient-to-nurse ratio? How will that impact nursing care?

[Prerna Wilson-Pauliah]

Thank you for sharing this post. It is thought-provoking, especially now – almost a year since the pandemic started in the United States. Like the article mentions, in a time like this nurses are required more than ever. However, while the need for nurses is much more pronounced now, I cannot remember a time when there were enough nurses. The pandemic only exacerbated a problem that seems like has existed for a very long time. Further, there must be more done to prevent nurses from leaving – dealing with burnout that can usually be due to understaffing, toxic work environments, lack of support, or compassion fatigue. I believe helping nurses stay in the job (and remain satisfied) might help with the shortage a lot faster than trying to bring them back from retirement or entice more people to go nursing school. Supporting them in the workplace is a more long-term solution.

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