Originally published April 4 2005
Nurse shortage will likely get worse, government study says
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The U.S. government says the country's hospitals have a nursing deficit of about 6 percent. And that figure seems poised to grow to 20 percent by 2015. The study also says that, unless more young people take up nursing quickly, nearly half of all nurses in the U.S. will be at least 50 (near retirement age) by 2010. These figures have many in the health care business rethinking ways to recruit and education new nurses.
As a shortage of nurses continues coast-to-coast, local colleges and hospitals are doing whatever they can to keep up with the growing need for health care professionals.
In 2000, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services listed Texas as one of 30 states estimated to have shortages.
Officials project that a six percent deficit in qualified nurses will grow to 20 percent by 2015, based on a number of factors including an increase in population, an aging baby boomer generation and the large number of women who entered the field in the 1970s now retiring or exiting the industry.
According to a government report, unless more young people choose to go into the nursing profession by 2010, nearly half of all nurses will be older than 50.
"[The shortage has] impacted every nursing program in the country in terms of applications," said Lynne Meyer, Collin County Community College's nursing program adviser.
She said there is "tremendous interest" in the program, and as a result the school offers information sessions to educate prospective students about the application process.
The last session for this semester has passed; however a complete packet can be found at www.ccccd.edu/nursing.
Across town at the Medical Center of McKinney, hospital administrators have begun a recruitment campaign to bring in more nurses and expects to add 15 to 20 nurses to its staff within the next year.
Trying to stay ahead of the curve, the hospital is offering $500 to anyone who refers a friend for a job.
Half of the money is given once the person has completed three months of employment with the remainder distributed after they have been on board for six months.
The first 50 people to make referrals are entered into a drawing to win a vacation to Las Vegas.
"We were looking for something different to stand out in the market, to get us prepared for the growth," said spokesperson Sandra Fulce.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml