Despite downsizing, the number of working RNs has increased in recent years to its current number of 2.1 million, according to the latest data from the US Department of Health and Human Services. Buerhaus adds that the numbers don't tell the whole story because not all nurses in hospitals directly care for patients. The trend toward increasing employment of UAPs for outpatient settings is slowing, with some hospitals returning to all-RN units. Clearly nurses are valued by consumers, who need not sit idle as the supply of nurses dwindle. Talk about the nursing shortage with others in your community.
Many people are unaware of the impending problems related to a short supply of nurses.
Find out what school counselors are doing to encourage nursing as a career. Link nurses from your local hospital to the schools, or suggest that school nurses talk to students about nursing as a career. Become politically active, especially at the local level, where many key healthcare issues are decided. Be sure that policy makers consider the shortage of nurses in their decisions. If you or someone you're close to is in the hospital, be sure to talk with the registered nurse, not just anyone in a white uniform.