DQ1 week one
As of 2004, there were 2.4 working RN’s in the United States. 94.3% were women, with 5.7% being men, and 81.8% were Caucasian at a time in history when the ethnic background of the United States is on the verge of a dramatic shift. Student demographics are changing; more diversity is being seen at schools, and more students are entering schools at a mature age. Due to the more varied backgrounds and economics many are not only raising families, but also working full-time while studying. Only 34.2% held Baccalaureate degrees and 13% holding masters or doctoral degrees (Kittrell Chitty & Perry Black, pgs. 1-5). Greater life expectancy means an aging population that will bring new challenges to health care. “By 2020, more than 20 percent of the population will be 65 and older, with those over 85 constituting the fastest growing age group” (www.nln.org). Ethnic diversity and an aging population not only affect the prevalence of illness and disease, but also the type of illness and disease, requiring changes in practice. Nursing practice, education, and research must embrace and respond to these changing demographics. Nursing schools and health institutions must be prepared to confront the challenges ahead, and they must increase the amount of available educators. To do so, they must develop a flexible educating system that is amenable to the older, mature student that has established responsibilities. At the same time, they must actively recruit and educate younger students from diverse backgrounds in order to establish a future rank of educators. To do so, facilities need to be accessible and affordable in locations that are as varied as the students. Through public and private funding, aid needs to be available to students in need and to fund facilities. Having a diverse and capable nursing workforce would meet the demands of an