Nurse Shortage Causes
The nursingshortage is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, it has been occurring since long time ago. It is however, only in the last few years that the shortage has begun to have a significant impact on our healthcare systems. The population growth, a declining number of applicants to nursing schools, an aging workforce and a baby boom generation that will require healthcare services in the coming years are all contributing to this situation. The cause of the current shortage is actually three-fold: an aging population, an aging workforce, and a limited supply of new nurses. ● An Aging Population– The baby boomers are going into their golden years. It is estimated by between 2010 and 2030, one in every five people will be a senior citizen. ● An Aging Workforce– As the population ages, so does the nursing staff. Approximately one-third of the current nursing workforce is 50 years old or older. ● A Limited Supply of New Nurses– There is a limit to the budgets and staf