Nurses needed: U.S. facing a severe shortage of nurses

(ARA) - Registered nursing is one of the fastest-growing careers in the U.S. By 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, 580,000 more nursing positions will be needed, a growth rate of 22 percent since 2008.

Nursing is also thought to be highly recession-proof, actually adding positions during economic downturns. In July 2009, when the U.S. saw job losses of more than 450,000, more than 20,000 new nursing positions were added to the economy. In fact, in a December 2009 report on employment trends, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in 2009, the U.S. added 631,000 positions in the health care industry, many of which were in nursing.

These huge increases mean that many hospitals and clinics are struggling to meet their need for nurses. In fact, a June 2009 Health Affairs article by Peter I. Buerhaus finds that by 2025, the U.S. is expected to have a shortage of more than 250,000 registered nurses.  

"Simply put, there is a huge need for nurses throughout the country," says Martha Keough, nursing director at Everest College in Ontario, California. Demand for nurses is high in all types of medical facilities, including hospitals, medical centers, physicians' offices, nursing homes and assisted living centers.

"Nursing is an exciting career option - somewhere between an art and a science," Keough continues. "You get to interact one-on-one with patients and know you are making a difference in their lives."

While the number of new nurses entering the profession is growing, growth is not fast enough to meet demand. The American Association of Certified Nurses reported a 2.2 percent increase in enrollments at entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs in 2008 over 2007; however, that increase will not be nearly sufficient to meet the projected number of openings.  

A number of demographic factors are contributing to this shortage of nurses, says Maureen Peterkin, nursing instructor at Everest University in Brandon, Fla. First, demographic changes are increasing the demand for health care of all kinds, and nurses and other health professionals are in high demand. "With an aging baby-boomer population, the need for more qualified health professionals is increasing dramatically," says Peterkin. Other demographic trends, such as longer life spans, are creating a need for nurses with specialized training in long-term care and elder care.

Second, the rising age of nurses is expected to spur demand for new entrants to the profession. "Another reason for a shortage of nurses is retirements, which are expected to leave many vacancies," says Peterkin.

Many argue that a shortage of nurses negatively affects the quality of care patients receive. A comprehensive study by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, released in 2007, studied data from hospital records and suggests a lack of nurses may be related to declines in patient care. The study found that an increase in nurses was associated with lower hospital-related mortality and shorter hospital stays.

Peterkin explains that Everest University's targeted nursing program is aimed at helping students from a wide variety of backgrounds and work experiences get the knowledge and hands-on skills they need to enter the nursing profession in a timely manner.

"Nursing truly is a rewarding career. We need to spread the word about all the important work nurses do," says Peterkin.

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