Nursing Trends for 2014
Nursing has always demanded much of those who prefer to pursue a life of service and responsibility; 2014 will be no exception. With a median level of $65,000 annually, salaries for nurses have always been more than adequate and will continue to be so.
Other trends that pertain to nursing, however, have not been so unchanging.
Technology
With the growth in mobile telecommunications, automated offices and the use of patient care for computer tablets, high-definition display screens and complex medical equipment, nurses will find 2014 even more of a challenge. Old methods will be going as new ways of doing things become the norm.
One component of this technology wave is communication. Nurses can expect to be more tied to the organizations for which they work than they ever have been. Instant responses to questions will be expected. Both patients and doctors will expect more contact through mobile phones and computers.
In 2014, nurses will be expected to learn more about the latest medical advances and the newest tools and devices to be used on a daily basis for both diagnosis and treatment. Continual training in technology will be considered a normal part of a job for nurses of all types.
Age and Demographics
The bulge of population known as baby boomers will be the reason that the average age of the patient population will be somewhat higher in 2014, a trend that will continue over the next decade or two. As these Boomers reach their 60s and 70s, more and more of them will require medical care for geriatric conditions. In addition, people are beginning to live longer, as evidenced by the higher life expectancies showing up in population statistics.
Doctors and nurses themselves are also included in this trend. Many medical care practitioners are continuing to work well past their retirement ages. Though it is not clear whether the reason is economic or altruistic, nurses in 2014 can expect more and more of their colleagues to be over 60.
Training and Education
Besides technology training, nurses in 2014 can expect to be asked to continue their medical education as well. HPLC training, for example, may be a requirement of the job. A nurse may be expected to take and pass the CRNE exam. Many new types of educational opportunities will be available.
Nurses will also be expected to be up-to-date on the latest news in medical care. Patients are now exposed to many sources of information on the latest vitamins, the newest treatments and the brand-new drugs. Nurses will have to answer questions of all kinds from patients.
Complexity of Care
With an older population experiencing chronic medical conditions, nurses will find medical care becoming even more complex. In addition to knowing about medical matters, nurses will also have to be conversant with the latest insurance regulations, administrative requirements and cost containment strategies of medical care today.
Patients will appear with more than one type of medical problem and nurses may have to understand how to deal with a specialty outside their normal routine such as dentistry or social work. Medical research continues to blossom with new treatments and drugs that new nurses must be aware of.
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