The research and policy importance of nursing sample surveys and minimum data sets

State and national data on the Georgia nursing workforce

BACKGROUND

The enduring absence of robust nursing workforce data creates gaps to support evidence-based workforce planning and policy development.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine Georgia nursing workforce data available through state and national agencies to determine if significance differences exist among data sources.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, descriptive analysis of 2017 Georgia nursing workforce data was used to examine and compare workforce characteristics available from five data sources. The advantages and limitations of each data source were reviewed.

FINDINGS

Significant differences were noted in the quality and quantity of data collected on the Georgia nursing workforce as reported by state and national agencies. None of the datasets include in our analysis had comprehensive and timely data on the Georgia nursing workforce.

DISCUSSION

Nursing workforce stakeholders must work collaboratively to require and implement a comprehensive re-licensure survey. It is only though a standardized national minimum dataset that we can ensure an adequate nursing workforce.

Racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. national nurse workforce 1988-2013

The objective of this article is to examine the racial and ethnic diversity profile of the nurse workforce over time and by geographic region. We conducted survey analysis using the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses from 1988 to 2008, and further supplemented our trend analysis using published findings from the 2013 National Workforce Survey of Registered Nurses. The gap in racial/ethnic minority representation between the RN workforce and the population has been persistent and has widened over time. This diversity gap is primarily due to underrepresentation of Hispanics and Blacks in the RN workforce, which varied across states and regions, with the largest gaps occurring for Hispanics in the South and West and for Blacks in the South. Greater levels of sustained and targeted support to increase nurse workforce diversity are needed and should be geared not only to specific underrepresented groups but also to the regions and states with the greatest needs.

Creating a dashboard to track progress toward IOM recommendations for the future of nursing

This article explains the process used to identify and develop a set of data used to track national progress toward the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine Committee for the Future of Nursing. The data are presented in a dashboard format to visually summarize information and quickly measure progress. The approach selected by the research team is outlined, the criteria for selecting candidate metrics are detailed, the process for seeking external guidance is described, and the final dashboard measures are presented. Finally, the methods for data collection for each metric are explicated, to guide states and local regions in the collection of their own data.