a16z Podcast Nursing Today, From the Bedside and Beyond
Nov 28, 2019
Iman Abuzeid, CEO of Incredible Health, sheds light on the nursing industry and its pressing challenges, including a looming staffing crisis. Jeff Jordan from A16Z dives into healthcare innovation and the impact of technology on recruitment. They discuss the evolving role of nurses, the need for a better hiring process, and how specialized platforms can revolutionize healthcare recruitment. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting nurses to improve retention and patient care quality.
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Nursing as a dominant industry
- Nursing is the largest U.S. industry by worker count, with nurses comprising 60% of clinical workers.
- This equates to 3 million nurses, approximately 1% of the U.S. population.
Nurse-to-Patient Ratios and Their Importance
- California regulates nurse-to-patient ratios (e.g., 5:1 on general units, 2:1 in ICU).
- However, such regulations aren't widespread, and understaffing correlates with increased medical errors and patient mortality.
Nursing Shortage Factors
- The nursing shortage is driven by increased demand from an aging population and limited supply.
- Nursing schools face faculty shortages due to retirements, further constraining supply.