Nursing and Nursing Shortage

Primary Listings

Magnet Hospitals – Nursing Care Recognition

Magnet Recognition Program® was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, to recognize hospitals and heath care organizations that provide nursing excellence. As of April 2022, there were 580 US Magnet hospitals or international: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Taiwan, Japan, England/UK, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE. Of the US hospitals, less than 9% were Magnet hospitals as of May 2021, according to the website. Easiest to view on a map. Can also download the complete list in Excel format.

Nurse Fatigue (article by Scott, Rogers, et al)

Learn about Nurse Fatigue in this study of Critical Care nurses. Article by Scott, Rogers, et al, was published in the American Journal of Critical Care, 2006. It led researchers to support the Institute of Medicine recommendations to minimize the use of 12-hour shifts and to limit nurses’ work hours to no more than 12 consecutive hours during a 24-hour period. Title: “Effects of Critical Care Nurses’ Work Hours on Vigilance and Patients’ Safety”.

Nurse Retention and Global Nurse Shortage

Short report on nurse retention and the global nurse shortage. Written in 2021, this brief took recent factors into account, such as the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. Survey of “National Nurses Associations” was by the International Council of Nurses. Published in Switzerland.

Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet – AACN

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) provides a fact sheet on the nursing shortage. The fact sheet cites estimates that the supply of RNs went down by 100,000 from 2020 to 2021. It also provides references to find RN shortages in each state through 2030. Recent studies of nursing enrollment show that U.S. nursing schools turned away nearly 92,000 qualified applicants in 2021, due to faculty shortages, clinical sites, budget constraints and the like. Fact sheet updated October 2022.

Nursing Trends 2019

Nursing trends and salary survey from 2019. Published in American Nurse Today, November 2019.

Wages for Occupations in Health Care (BLS)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows average salary/wages for hospital RNs ($82,870/year), and other healthcare occupations. Scroll to Table, and sort by Employment to see the largest categories of employees. Average salary for Physicians and Dentists also listed. Wages for Home Health and Personal Care Aides are sampled for certain areas of the country and employer type. National employment data for May 2021; updated March 31, 2022.

RN National Survey 2018, Summary of Findings (HRSA)

Find a summary of findings from the RN National Survey of 2018, by HRSA. Report describes characteristics of the nearly 4 million licensed RNs in US: RN age (average 50 years), median full-time salary of $73,929, just under $40,000 for a part-time nurse. About 19% of RNs had a master’s or doctorate degree. Survey response rate was 50% (over 50,000 responses). Findings of the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses 2018 published in 2019. The full survey findings are expected to be published later, with more information on average hours worked, educational background, advance practice nurses including nurse practitioner & CNS, foreign-educated nurses and ethnic distribution, employment setting, telehealth and more.

Other Helpful Listings

Health Workforce Projections, Supply and Demand (HRSA)

Find workforce projections for many health professions, that look at supply and demand. By HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration), an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. Studies in the past 3 years show workforce needs to 2030. Studies published in 2020, 2021 and 2022 include Women’s Health Service Providers (such as OB-GYNs and midwives), Oral Health Workforce (which estimates a shortage of nearly 5,000 general dentists by 2030), and Behavioral Health Workforce (which projects shortages in psychiatrists and addiction counselors.) Potentially, the supply of psychologists and therapists will be adequate to meet demand, while there may be an excess of social workers and school counselors by 2030.) Older reports examined demand for direct care workers (like nursing assistants, home health aides and personal care aides), and nursing workforce demand. Updated as reports are published.

Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert on Fatigue and Healthcare Workers

Joint Commission’s Sentinel Event Alert on fatigue addresses the impact and risks of healthcare workers’ inadequate sleep and extended work hours on patient care. It is a major hospital workforce concern. Prepared by The Joint Commission, an accrediting body of hospitals and other healthcare organizations, 2011, updated May 2018.

Nurses and Other Highly Rated Healthcare Professionals – Gallup Poll

Nurses again top the list of highly rated healthcare professionals, according to this annual Gallup poll. In the latest poll from Nov – December 2022, 79% of Americans say nurses’ honesty and ethical standards are “very high” or “high.” Ratings of nurses were 17 points higher than the next best professionals: medical doctors (rated high or very high by 62%). Also in the top five, were pharmacists (58%), high school teachers (53%) and police officers (50%). Hands down, nurses are seen as highly trustworthy. Nurses’ scores decreased this year, as did most professions. In general, key healthcare staff rate well for honesty and ethical behavior. At the bottom of the list were Members of Congress (62% rated their honesty as Low or Very Low); and telemarketers (59%). Published January 2023.

WI Healthcare Workforce Report 2023

WI Healthcare Workforce Report for 2023 is a 32-page report. The report gives a state of the workforce for 2021. Additional info about workforce, burnout, career paths, RNs, Advanced Practice Nurses, Physician Assistants, Surgical Techs, LPNs, CRNAs, respiratory therapists and more. The average hospital vacancy rate in 2021 was 9.9%. For Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), it was about 16%. LPNs, Respiratory Therapists and Surgical Techs had vacancy rates over 12%. Published by Wisconsin Hospital Association, March 2023.