A recent report produced by the Florida Center for Nursing shows that the state lacks enough new nurses to make up for the large number of nurses approaching retirement, according to a news release from the Center for Nursing. The state faces a shortage of more than 18,000 full-time nurses by 2010.
“We have heard anecdotal reports of employers reducing vacancies and of new graduates struggling to find employment in hospital settings. However, this should not be taken as a sign that the shortage has been resolved,” said Mary Lou Brunell, RN, MSN, executive director of the Florida Center for Nursing. “The underlying issues leading to high amounts of nurse turnover and the challenges facing the expansion of nurse education capacity in Florida haven’t changed.”
The center’s recent report, “Estimation of the RN Workforce,” found that about 85% of RNs with an active, clear license and a Florida address practice nursing within the state. The report also demonstrated that average hours worked each week declines dramatically with age. This presents serious concerns for workforce planners, as RNs over age 50 make up almost 40% of all current RN full-time equivalent positions.
A second report by the Center found that, although more than 25,000 RNs joined Florida’s potential nurse workforce between 2007 and 2008, more than 16,000 RNs were lost — a net gain of only 9,000 RNs statewide. For more information on the Florida Center for Nursing, and to view the reports, visit www.FLCenterforNursing.org.
“We have heard anecdotal reports of employers reducing vacancies and of new graduates struggling to find employment in hospital settings. However, this should not be taken as a sign that the shortage has been resolved,” said Mary Lou Brunell, RN, MSN, executive director of the Florida Center for Nursing. “The underlying issues leading to high amounts of nurse turnover and the challenges facing the expansion of nurse education capacity in Florida haven’t changed.”
The center’s recent report, “Estimation of the RN Workforce,” found that about 85% of RNs with an active, clear license and a Florida address practice nursing within the state. The report also demonstrated that average hours worked each week declines dramatically with age. This presents serious concerns for workforce planners, as RNs over age 50 make up almost 40% of all current RN full-time equivalent positions.
A second report by the Center found that, although more than 25,000 RNs joined Florida’s potential nurse workforce between 2007 and 2008, more than 16,000 RNs were lost — a net gain of only 9,000 RNs statewide. For more information on the Florida Center for Nursing, and to view the reports, visit www.FLCenterforNursing.org.
