Final answer:
The utilization of RNs and RPNs is influenced by various factors, including demand and supply in the labor market, economic considerations such as income and the length of education/training, and the need for balanced healthcare policies that address patient care, costs, and privacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Decisions regarding the utilization of a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) are shaped by various factors intrinsic to the health care industry. These include the economic principles of demand and supply as they determine the equilibrium and the allocation of nursing resources within the labor market. As seen in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area in 2015, where approximately 35,000 RNs were employed across various sectors such as hospitals, doctor's offices, and schools, the demand and supply schedules indicated how the quantity of nurses supplied and demanded varied with different salary levels.
This economic situation suggests that factors such as income, prestige, and length of education/training are critical considerations when analyzing the labor market for RNs and RPNs. To ensure a balanced approach that addresses patient quality of life, cost of treatments, and privacy risks, policy development must incorporate questions related to these themes. Furthermore, the collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, such as surgeons, nurses, and anesthetists in reviewing patient care, highlight the importance of teamwork in utilizing nursing staff effectively.