A Study of the Workforce in Emergency Medicine: 2007 Research Summary
Received 9 September 2009; received in revised form 15 December 2009; accepted 17 December 2009. published online 17 February 2010. Corrected Proof
Introduction
This paper summarizes nurse-specific elements reported in a study of the emergency medicine workforce in 2007.
Methods
In 2008, surveys were distributed to over 2600 emergency department (ED) medical directors and nurse managers in the United States.
Results
The response rate was 21% from nurse managers. Registered nurses (RN) in staff positions are 37.9 years of age. The most common highest level of education is and associate degree (46%). The predominant workforce is RNs with a fixed assignment to the emergency department. Geographic relocation (46%) was the most common reason cited for resignations. Nurse practitioner positions continue to increase.
Emergency department volumes continue to increase. Study respondents reported the largest increase in urgent care/fast track service areas. Throughput time from registration to discharge was reported as 158 minutes. Boarding patients in the emergency department is a common practice, and nurse managers reported boarding as an issue that impacts quality care 67% of the time.
Conclusion
Emergency department volumes continue to increase significantly. Innovative nurse staffing and retention programs are required to meet future challenges of emergency patient care.
For correspondence, write: Vicki C. Patrick, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, CEN, FAEN, The University of Texas at Arlington School of Nursing, 411 S. Nedderman, Arlington, TX 76019
ABSTRACT