Study: Nurses Provide Economic Benefits
February 5, 2009
By the Online Nursing Career Content Team – Find Top Nursing Programs Online!
Hiring an extra 133,000 registered nurses nationwide could lead to billions of dollars in economic benefits, according to a new study by the American Nursing Association.
The ANA study used research from previous studies which found that larger nurse staffing levels cut down on the length of hospital stays and patient complications, resulting in more productivity nationwide.
For example, the report says an extra 133,000 nurses nationwide would save 5,900 lives a year and decrease combined days spent in the hospital by 3.6 million. Preventing those annual deaths each year would also reportedly add $1.3 billion in restored productivity to the economy.
"Medical savings is estimated at $6.1 billion, or $46,000 per additional RN per year. Combining medical savings with increased productivity, the partial estimates of economic value averages $57,700 for each of the additional 133,000 RNs," said ANA president Rebecca Patton in a statement.
If you're interested in pursuing a nursing career, you're not alone. A nationwide shortage and the relatively recession-proof nature of the industry have fueled more and more public interest in this field recently.
And if a traditional nursing program doesn't work for your budget or schedule, consider the various online nursing programs that are available.
Find a Top Online Nursing Schools Today
Related Article Topics: Online Nursing Career | Online Nursing News
