Supply and Demand of Registed Nurses

Supply and Demand of Registered Nurses In the early 1950s, a becoming a nurse was considered to be more voluntary than vocational. Nurses would make the beds, smile in the faces of the patients and check temperatures. This is not the case today, they play a major role in our health care and we should no longer take them for granted. Registered Nurses are the largest group of health care professionals in the United States and there is a massive shortage nationwide, especially in Texas. In 2006 Texas was reported to have over 146,000 Registered Nurses; this is only around 609 nurses per 100,000 residents, as opposed to the national statistic of 782 per 100,000. (Ogle, 2006). In trying to examine the causes for the shortages in Texas, we will look at the reason for the lack in supply and demand, as well as discuss how a nurse’s pay is determined and how their salary is structured.

Demand Since the 1990s, there has been a growth in the demand for Registered Nurses in Texas. There is an expected 86% increase in demand of Registered Nurses in Texas between 2005-2020, in this time there is an expected increase in the supply of nurses by only 53%, causing a shortage. (Registered Nurse Supply/Demand Facts, 2006). One of the causes is the continuous increase in the population. Because Texas is bordering Mexico, there is a flow of illegal immigrants annually. Another reason for an increase in demand is that there is a greater life expectancy. Enhancements in technology and medicine has made is possible for us to lead longer lives as opposed to in the past 54 years, “from 68.2 years in 1950 to 77.8 years in 2004.” (Hodges, 2007). Along with an abundance of the older generation come the health problems that they acquire, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and fragile bones. The older generation is more likely to be candidates for long hospital stays, home-healthcare and nursing homes, which all require Nurses on staff. Trends in Health Care financing also

References: Hodges, M. (2007, March). GENERATIONAL CELEBRATION REPORT. Retrieved January 20, 2007, from Grandfather Economic Report series: http://mwhodges.home.att.net/celebration.htm Ogle, L. (2006, November 9). Texas State gets $6 million to create nursing program. Retrieved January 22, 2008, from St. David 's Community Health Foundation: http://www.sdchf.org/downloads/Grants_NursingSchool.pdf Projected Supply, Demand, and Shortages. (2002, July). Retrieved January 21, 2008, from FCI Global USA, Inc: http://www.fciglobalusa.com/doc_news1_en.php#chart9 Registered Nurse Supply/Demand Facts. (2006). Retrieved January 22, 2008, from Texas Nurses Association.