Facts on the Nursing Shortage

Did You Know?

 

RN Shortage

• The nursing shortage in the US is expected to reach a shortfall of 340,000 nurses in 2020
• The Indiana Hospital Association reported over 2,000 RN vacancies in Indiana in acute care settings second quarter 2008.
• Complex patient care requires registered nurses (RNs) prepared with strong clinical judgment skills
• Expanded technology requires increased patient care monitoring by RNs
• Preventative care and chronic conditions require more RNs
• A DECREASE IN THE RN WORKFORCE COMPROMISES THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF HEALTHCARE

RN Faculty Shortage

• 37% of the current Indiana RN faculty workforce is projected to reach retirement age by 2015; 59% of the current RN faculty is projected to reach retirement by 2020.
• Shortage of RN faculty is directly related to schools inabilities to expand enrollments.
• Approximately 2, 500 qualified students seeking admission to undergraduate nursing programs are not able to be admitted.
• THE FACULTY SHORTAGE IS THE FIRST STEP IN ADDRESSING THE NURSING SHORTAGE

The 2009 Spotlight on Nursing Run & Walk benefits:

• Scholarships to undergraduate and graduate nursing students
• Focused scholarships to those pursuing advanced degrees, with the express purpose of increasing nursing faculty in Indiana
• More than $254,000 has been given for scholarships from the Run & Walk over the last seven years

References:
Health Affairs (January/February 2007)
Nursing 2000
Indiana Nursing Workforce Development Coalition