Treating the Nursing Shortage

The health care system will be short more than a million nurses by 2010, according to estimates by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Labor. A halfmillion registered nurses–more than enough to meet the demand–are not working in patient care, according to a recent poll. One in five nurses is considering leaving direct patient care for a reason other than retirement.

The AFL-CIO Working for America Institue surveyed, through their nationals, local unions that represent workers in the healthcare industry to learn what they are doing to attract and keep more nurses at patients’ bedsides. Of 40 responding locals, only one reported no shortage of nursing professionals among its employers. Here is what they told us they are doing about the crisis:

• Ending forced overtime
• Raising shift pay differentials
• Filing lawsuits to address nursing practice issues
• Introducing federal and local legislation that would ensure safe nurse-staffing ratios in states around the country
• Providing career enhancement opportunities for working nurses, such as increased pay for specialty certifications and credit for prior LPN experience in pay and benefits once nurses achieve RN status
• Developing flexible benefit programs
• Developing and promoting education reimbursement and leave both for current nurses and for other healthcare workers pursuing nursing education
• Working with employers to develop programs for nursing education and training, including joint union/employer education and training funds
• Creating and supporting career ladders that move workers from one health care occupation to another

WAI would like to hear what you are doing to respond to the nursing crisis at: info@working foramerica.org.

Look for the full results soon on our website: www.workingforamerica.org.

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