Nursing Shortage is the Longest Lasting in 50 Years

The nationwide nursing shortage is the longest lasting shortage in 50 years. The numbers began dropping in 1998 and hospitals everywhere are feeling the crunch. A new study shows the projected nursing shortage has shrunk by 420,000 registered nurses while many health officials suspect the profession may not appeal to young people anymore. Many students currently enrolled in nursing programs are in their late 20's and early 30's. The current average age of registered nurses is 43.5 years and it's projected to be 44.9 years by 2016. If the trend continues, the study predicts there will be 340,000 registered nurse vacancies by 2020, instead of the previously projected shortage of 760,000.

Health officials hope that nursing candidates will take advantage of the growing opportunities, and soon, or the industry could face an even bigger dilemma when the large number of nurses who are baby boomers retire in the next few years. According to a 2005 survey, registered nurses believe the shortage impacts patient care. The study appeared in an issue of Nursing Economics Magazine and said that 93% of RNs surveyed said they see the shortage as lowering the quality of patient care. 93% also said the shortage is causing nurses to leave the profession and 75% said the amount of time nurses can spend with patients is also compromised.

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