The shortage of registered nurses practically those with baccalaureate and higher degrees continues. The Kaiser edu.org Kaiser citing a study released by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services reports that by 2020 there will be a shortage of 340,000 nurses with 44 states anticipating shortages.
The aging population and increasing demand for health services contributes in part to the demand for more registered nurses. Kaiser reports that a significant growth in demand for long term care is also contributing to this projected shortage. They report there will be a 66% growth in nurses needed in geriatric related services.
An excellent video on You Tube Amesricanneednurse points out the need for nurses. Another You Tube video series also discusses the nursing shortage and reasons for such. Nursingcrisis
Nursing schools across the country have responded to the demand for increase their enrollments. Innovations in curriculum that includes the use of simulations, accelerated programs for those who have degrees in other areas have been developed, and new partnerships between academia and healthcare service settings have been forged. The ability of schools of nursing to rapidly increase their capacity have been hampered by a shortage of faculty, limited clinical sites, and inadequate budgets to expand enrollments.
Hopefully, this dialogue will start conversations about the shortage and potential solutions.
2 comments:
While it is known there is a tremendous shortage of nurses, there will always be a shortage unless those who want to enter this field are given more opportunities to do so. While universities such as UTEP tr to fulfill the need, those who want to enter this field should realize that giving back to their alma mater's is critical. The shortage will never gain ground unless more RN's commit to teaching. Unfortunately, many decide that solving the problem is someone else's job. With this type of attitude there the gap will never close. We as students and future nurses should realize the importance of sacrifice once we obtain the degree. Schools such as UTEP can only do so much without those whom they invested time in, coming back and assisting with clinical settings and classroom instruction.
As difficult as it is to be accepted into the program, I can only hope that all pre-nursing, nursing students, and recent graduates never forget that we owe it to this wonderful career. I hear many of my friends who are in the nursing program now and those who have degrees ranging from ADN to MSN say the entered this field to help people. I ask them, to consider teaching, and being grateful that someone was there to do the same for you.
I know I will. Future TX BSN 2011 MSN,phD.
Your comment regarding the need for more nursing faculty, the call for alumni and others to support Schools of Nursing is right on. The education of more nurses is clearly an urgent issue. At the University of Texas at El Paso we are continuing our efforts to increase the number of students admitted to the program. This May we will admit 50 students to the program up from 40 admitted last year. Created in 2005, the program its increased enrollment 33 percent in its second year and 50 percent in its third year. This year, the program plans to increase by 66 percent.
All Fast Track graduates have passed the national licensure exam on their first attempt, demonstrating its effectiveness in educating highly competent registered nurses.
The program was created with support from a $465,000 grant from the Tenet Foundation to help reduce local and national nursing shortages. It received additional support from a three-year, $818,293 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information, contact Stephanie Glover, 915-747-8325 or smglover@utep.edu. To learn more about the School of Nursing, visit www.utep.edu/nursing
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