Nursing work force explained
A recent letter on these pages described a newly graduated nurse who has not been able to find a job and asked “Why?”
It’s important for Rocky readers to realize that, despite this young woman’s experience, Colorado continues to face a severe shortage of registered nurses. In fact, the U.S. government estimates that by 2010, Colorado’s shortfall of RNs will rise to 17 percent, or nearly 6,500 fewer nurses than our growing population will require.
However, aggregate numbers can mask the complexities of nursing work-force supply and demand. Some specialty areas face severe shortages, while other areas have a more adequate supply.
It’s also important to recognize that health-care facilities must strike a careful balance of novice and experienced nurses in order to ensure patient safety, quality of care and nurse retention. And while employers welcome newly graduated nurses and are hiring them in large numbers, they must invest significant time and money in bringing those new graduates up to speed. The intensive, months-long orientations required for new nurses can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Sue Carparelli,
Denver
President and CEO,
Colorado Center for
Nursing Excellence
Sue,
where do we find out what specialities are facing the shortages?