The Nursing Shortage – A Reason for Concern? – March 2003

A variety of studies demonstrate that the nursing shortage in Pennsylvania mirrors the national situation. According to the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), some reasons for the shortage are the deteriorating financial condition of hospitals and health systems; an economy that has provided increased opportunities for employment outside of health care; the aging of the workforce; and improved medical knowledge and technology that enables treatment (not previously available) of chronically ill or severely injured patients. Nursing groups add nursing job dissatisfaction and burnout as a root cause. The aging population has led to increased demand for health services. Some economists also suggest the pay scale does not compensate for the high stress level – particularly in an economy offering well-paid, lower stress occupations.