The Nursing Shortage: A Community Issue

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The Nursing ShortageA Community Issue

• Florida Hospital Association
• Cathy Allman, RN, MSN
• VP/Nursing and Health Care Professions
• Executive Director/National Association for
  Health Care Recruitment

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The nursing shortage is not just a Florida issue
-- it is a national and international issue.
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In 2020, the U.S. will need1.7 million nurses.
Supply is projected to be 600,000.
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And...

• National average age of working RNs is 46 years.
• RN workforce is aging more than twice as fast as
  all other occupations.
• 40 of the RN workforce will be over the age of
  50 by 2010.
• Number of working RNs under 30 declined 41 from
  1983 to 1998.

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• 77 million baby boomers are on their way...

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Florida is projected to need 34,000 additional
RNs by 2006
29.3 Change
2006
1996
Source HRSA State Health Workforce Profiles,
Health Resources and Services Administration,
Bureau of Health Professions, December 2000
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RN vacancy rates in Florida hospitals, 1988-2001
of vacant budgeted RN positions
National RN Vacancy Rate 9.7
Note Survey was not conducted in
1996 Source FHA Nurse Staffing Supply Surveys,
1989-2001
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Greatest shortages are in specialty nursing areas
Vacancy rates
Source FHA Nurse Staffing Supply Survey, 2001
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Why are we experiencing a nurse shortage?
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Floridas population is aging
Older patients require more hospital care.
Sources Florida Statistical Abstract,
2000 Population Studies, Bureau of Economic and
Business Research, University of Florida,
1990-1999
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Demand has increased.
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Floridas hospitals are caring for more patients
Admissions
Emergency Visits
Source AHCA Financial Data, 1995-1999
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Patients are sicker, more complex, and require
more care.
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More Paperwork More RNs
Physicians, nurses and other hospital staff on
average spend at least 30 minutes on paperwork
for every hour of patient care provided to a
typical Medicare patient. PricewaterhouseCoopers
Survey data
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RNs are practicing in other health care settings
MD Office
Home Care
Skilled Nursing
Ambulatory Care
Business
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Supply has decreased.
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Fewer going into nursing
Enrollment
Graduations
Source Florida Board of Nursing, 2001
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Health care environment not as attractive as a
career as before

• Managed care
• Threat of layoffs
• Increased work pressures/stress
• Long-term salary potential is limited
• Work schedules - 24/7

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Stresses affecting RNs
Reengineering issues
Lack of decision-making/autonomy
Nurse/physician relations
Less patient contact
Higher patient acuity
Limited career path
Undesirable shift work
Fewer nurse managers
Source TrendWatch, March 1999
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Little change in number of licensed RNs
Licensed RNs
Florida Population
Sources Florida Board of Nursing, 2001 Florida
Statistical Abstract, 2000 Population Studies,
Bureau of Economic and Business Research,
University of Florida, 1990-1998
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Current hospital RNs are getting older
Within 10 years, 40 of all RNs are expected to
be over 50.
Sources American Organization of Nurse
Executives, 2000 HRSA Division of Nursing, 2001
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Other career options for women
Business
Medical School
Computers
Other
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Salaries are not competitive
Source Florida Department of Labor, Web site,
May 2001
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Actual real average annual salaries of
full-time RNs, 1980-2000
Actual average earnings
Real average earnings based on consumer price
index for 1982-84
Source The Registered Nurse Population, HRSA,
March 2000
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Floridas nurse educators are close to retirement
Floridas Nursing Schools 795 Faculty
Source Florida Nursing Faculty Study, Florida
Council of Nursing Education Administrators,
January 2000
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Pressures on hospitals
Medicare/Medicaid payment reductions Managed
care Uninsured
Regulations JCAHO
Shortage of RNs - higher salaries Contract RNs
Overtime costs
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The nursing shortage is a Community
IssueNowBut will become aPublic Health
Issuein the Future
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What can we do?
Recruitment
Retention
Research
Image
Legislation
Academia
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What Is FHA doing?

• FHA Advisory Committee on Nursing Shortage
• Image Campaign
• Working with academia, FNA, FONE, BON
• Data/research
• Recruitment - Web site, Job Fair, Guide, Florida
  Isle, Job shadowing

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Legislation - State

• Improve process for out-of-state nurses to come
  to Florida
• Board of Nursing license endorsement process
• Interstate license compact
• Expand Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program
• Include Nursing in Florida Bright Futures
  Scholarship Program

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Legislation - Federal

• Increase reimbursement to hospitals
• Oppose legislation that negatively affects
  hospitals
• Work with AHA
• Increase funding for nursing programs
• Adjust Visa requirements

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