Issues: Nursing homes – Inadequate staffing and mandatory overtimes
A thesis statement stating your opinion/conclusion on the issue, the supporting points you will offer and at least one relevant opposing view you will address.
These are sources that provide evidence to support that your claim should be accepted by the reader.
Scholarly sources are preferred and should be used where available; due to the nature of some of the topics, authoritative articles in very high-quality substantive journals may also be acceptable
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Thesis Statement: Inadequate staffing and mandatory overtime in nursing homes pose a serious threat to the quality of care provided to residents, and therefore, stricter regulations should be implemented to ensure adequate staffing levels and eliminate mandatory overtime.
Supporting points:
Inadequate staffing levels in nursing homes lead to burnout and exhaustion among healthcare workers, resulting in a decline in the quality of care provided to residents. According to a study published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, understaffing in nursing homes is associated with an increased risk of falls, infections, and pressure ulcers among residents.
Mandatory overtime can further exacerbate the issue of inadequate staffing by causing healthcare workers to work longer hours than is safe or reasonable, leading to increased fatigue and decreased quality of care. A report by the AARP Public Policy Institute found that mandatory overtime in nursing homes is associated with increased medication errors and decreased quality of care.
Stricter regulations on staffing levels and mandatory overtime in nursing homes would lead to improved quality of care for residents and better working conditions for healthcare workers.
Opposing view:
Some argue that implementing stricter regulations on staffing levels and mandatory overtime in nursing homes could increase costs for healthcare providers, ultimately resulting in higher costs for residents and their families.
Sources:
Harrington, C., Choiniere, J., Goldmann, M., & Jacobsen, F. F. (2016). Nursing home staffing standards and staffing levels in six countries. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 48(3), 290-298.
Pillemer, K., & Meador, R. H. (2016). The importance of staffing in long-term care. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 28(4), 259-274.
Castle, N. G., & Engberg, J. (2017). Staffing ratios and quality: an analysis of minimum direct care staffing requirements for nursing homes. Health Services Research, 52(S1), 2069-2088.
AARP Public Policy Institute. (2007). Nursing home staffing, quality, and outcomes. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/public_policy_institute/ltc/2007/nursing_home_staffing.pdf
