5 Causes of the Very Real Nursing Shortage

It’s nearly impossible to scan past a headline today without reading about the pending nursing shortage. Is the pending staffing crisis is real or just media hype? The truth: the healthcare industry is facing a huge need for nurses in the next decade. We broke down some reasons why below so we can all understand how we got here.

1. An Aging Population

Baby Boomers are getting older. Right now, America has more citizens over the age of 65 than ever before. By 2030, one in five Americans will be a senior citizen. Demand for their care will increase, and no, there aren’t nearly enough nurses to care for them right now.

2. Retiring Nurses

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, about a half a million nurses are going to retire by 2022, right when the amount of seniors is set to spike. Between chronic illnesses, hospitalization, and other issues facing an aging population, this nursing deficit is going to need to be filled starting today.

3. Shortage of Educational Programs

With increased demand comes an uptick in enrollees looking for a qualified nursing program. The problem? There aren’t enough. Nursing schools have become increasingly competitive, with many students finding themselves on waiting lists for both BSN and LVN programs. More and more universities and colleges are expanding departments and accelerated certification programs are becoming more popular, but the field is still going to see a shortage.

4. Regional Challenges

Not all nurses want to work in the geographic areas where they’re the most needed. Traveling nurse programs could help provide a temporary workforce, but some rural U.S. regions that are not attracting young people may need to pony up in terms of salary and benefits to attract a young workforce.

5. Advanced Skill Sets

Increases in acuity care have led to experienced nurses being in even higher demand than before. Hospitals and long-term care facilities also need advanced nurses to keep up with new protocols for patient monitoring and care. Nurses with leadership skills to manage teams and make patient decisions are also in short supply and will see an even greater shortage as the aging workforce retires.

What Should You Do?

Start your career as soon as possible to gain the experience and seniority needed to fill these pending vacancies. Find and enroll in an accelerated program to get into the field as quickly as possible. Learn about LVN to RN bridge programs so you can work and advance in your career at the same time.

Bottom Line: those who get started now will have plenty of opportunity for an exciting, stable, and rewarding career well into the future. As one of the top-ranked schools in California, CDI prepares you for a lifelong career in the field, getting you trained and licensed in just over a year. Contact us today.

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