A recent study by Vanderbilt University's School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee, found that the number of full-time registered nurses was projected to peak around 2007 and then decline steadily as more nurses retire along with the nation's Baby Boomers.
Pay scales are definitely a part of the problem.
I do it because I love to do it. But there are people who need the money that will go out and work in industry or work as a nurse liaison. But worker dissatisfaction is only one issue putting hospitals in a crunch. Michele Ruhl didn't like what could be in store. As young recruits fail to replace older nurses who retire, the average age of the typical R.N. has been going up.