By Washington Center for Nursing
People ask us all the time: Is there really a nursing shortage? “My cousin just got laid off—my newly graduated child cannot find a job. If people need care, why are qualified nursing students being turned away from education and qualified nurses losing their positions?” To this we say: Excellent question. We’re glad you asked.
In the events of the unforeseen economic downturn, Health Care Professionals across the nation delayed retirement, part-timers became full-timers to support a laid off spouse, and hospitals cut staff to preserve budgets. We learned that nursing, although touted as a recession-proof career, was not immune to economic trends. The anticipated shortage had taken a brief break—but only to gather steam.
The Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, also known as Health Care Reform, is expected to make at least 300,000 more individuals eligible for health care coverage in Washington State in 2014. All this at a time when those nurses who’ve delayed retirement will begin leaving the workforce, and as recent budget cuts to education have decreased the capacity of some nursing schools. We’re left wondering whether our institutions will have the ability to educate enough nurses in time to care for a growing patient population.
wacenterfornursing.wordpress.com 