Nursing shortage varies by location and specialty

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for RNs will grow 15% from 2016 to 2026, but vacancies will likely be concentrated in some areas. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects Florida, Ohio, Virginia, New York and Missouri will have surpluses of RNs by 2030 while employers in California, Texas, New Jersey, South Carolina and Alaska struggle to fill jobs. AONL board member Simmy King, DPN, RN, told Modern Healthcare the growing number of older adults with complex needs may also increase demand for nurses with specialized skills. Meanwhile, nursing programs turn away 75,000 qualified applicants each year because of a shortage of instructors and other capacity issues. (Modern Healthcare story, 8/17/19)