title: Effective utilization of a scarce resource: RNs.
abstract: Nursing costs make up nearly half of a hospital's total budget, a situation exacerbated by the RN shortage. To maximize effectiveness, hospital administrators must ensure that RNs do only those tasks which require an RN. A nurse "extender" program is described which utilizes nursing students to provide care that does not require the expertise of a RN. This system has increased RN productivity and direct patient care opportunities while simultaneously providing an effective avenue for recruiting RN graduates at decreased orientation costs.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D009726:Nurses / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013338:Students, Nursing; D014481:United States