Despite Americans' High Regard, Nursing Shortage Still Looms

Nursing work force researchers announce results of landmark studies at
Washington, DC, press conference.

PITMAN, N.J., May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite a temporary lull in
the country's nursing shortage, data point to a gathering storm that will be
"like a Category Three hurricane, but one that hits the entire nation,"
according to Peter Buerhuas, PhD, RN, FAAN, a leading work force analyst.

Buerhaus, a Vanderbilt University professor, and his colleagues released the
latest data from three studies on the nursing industry during a May 6 press
conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. They predicted dire
numbers for the shortage; however, the research was more positive regarding
the high public regard of the nursing profession. Also, researchers went to
the source -- nurses themselves -- and asked for their opinions on the
upcoming presidential election, their views on U.S. health care policy and how
they feel about their own profession.

The current nursing shortage began in 1998, Buerhaus said, and according to
his latest data, could spike to 500,000 by 2025. Colliding forces, including
an aging nursing work force and a surge in demand for health care as 78
million baby boomers reach age 65, do not bode well for the future.

"A shortage that size could incapacitate the health care system," Buerhaus
said. "Low nurse staffing affects the quality of care and there is a clear
impact on patients."

At the press conference, Buerhaus and Karen Donelan, ScD, senior scientist at
the Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, outlined the
major points of their article, "Public Perceptions of Nursing Careers: The
Influence of the Media and Nursing Shortages," to be published in the May/June
issue of Nursing Economic$ journal. Beth Ulrich, EdD, RN, FACHE, FAAN, senior
vice president of Professional & Consulting Services for Nursing
Spectrum/NurseWeek, announced results of the latest national survey of
registered nurses which included RNs' views of health policy issues and
solutions and the upcoming elections.

Key findings from the three studies included the following:

• A downturn in the economy has driven many retired nurses back into the work
force. However, increased demand by boomers and the aging nursing work force
will make this only a brief reprieve.
• In the health policy survey of nurses, 30% felt Hillary Clinton would do
the best job reforming the system; 14% chose Barack Obama, and 11% picked John
McCain.
• In that same survey, RNs said the most important health care problem the
government needs to tackle is access to care/lack of insurance (34%), with
health care costs a close second (28%).
• The third survey of 1,600 Americans regarding their perceptions of the
nursing profession showed 70% of the public view a nursing career as positive
or very positive.

To ease the shortage, Buerhaus said a national strategy must be developed to
recruit and retain nurses and attract men and other demographic groups to the
profession. There also needs to be additional funding for nursing education
programs, as a shortfall in faculty is contributing to the shortage.

The press conference was sponsored by Nursing Economic$ and Nursing
Spectrum/NurseWeek. Nursing Economic$ will be publishing additional articles
about the research in upcoming issues. More information can be found on the
Nursing Economic$ Web site, www.nursingeconomics.net.

SOURCE Nursing Economic$

Janet D'Alesandro of Nursing Economic$, +1-856-256-2422, janetd@ajj.com