nursing shortage article
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Job dissatisfaction is a primary reason cited for nurse retention problems.

As of March 2000, 18.3 percent of RNs reported not being employed in nursing, up slightly from 17.3 percent in 1992. A recent survey reported that the national turnover rate among hospital staff nurses was 15 percent, up from 12 percent in 1996.

Nursing home and home health care industry surveys indicate that nurse turnover is an issue for them as well. In 1997, a survey sponsored by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) of 13 nursing home chains identified a 51-percent turnover rate for RNs and LPNs.15 A 2000 national survey of home health care agencies reported a 21- percent turnover rate for RNs and 24-percent turnover rate for LPNs.

Demographic Changes, Low Compensation, and Difficult Working Conditions Contribute to Shortage of Nurse Aides

Demographic Trends Will Continue to Increase Demand for Nurse Aides

Demographic changes over the coming decades may also worsen the shortage of nurse aides. With the aging of the population, demand for nurse aides is expected to grow dramatically, while the number of persons who have traditionally filled these jobs will change very little.

Retention of nurse aides is currently a significant problem for many hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care agencies, with some studies reporting annual turnover rates for aides working in nursing homes approaching 100 percent. Low wages, few benefits, and difficult working conditions contribute to recruitment and retention problems for nurse aides.

High turnover can contribute to both increased costs to the facility and problems with quality of care.

Several factors have contributed to growing demand for nurse aides to provide health and long-term care services. In the decade between 1988 and 1998, the number of employed nurse aides increased 40 percent.

Medical advances that have allowed people with chronic illnesses and disabilities to live longer, advances in technology that have allowed people with significant care needs to receive care in their homes or other community-based settings, and increased funding for in-home services, particularly from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, are factors increasing demand for nurse aide services.

In addition, the growing number of elderly will have a significant effect on demand in the future. The number of persons over age 85, those most in need of health and long term care services, will more than double from 4.3 million in 2000 to 8.9 million in 2030, when the baby boomers first begin to reach age 85.

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