It's a matter of supply and demand. Almost all health-care fields in North Texas are understaffed. About 17 percent of North Texas hospital nursing jobs are now open, and the rate is expected to grow to 20 percent before the end of 2001, Mr. Gavras said. That's not even close.
Professionals say there are three main reasons for the nursing shortage.
The third problem is that hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, reacting to patient demand, are continually adding beds. This year, an additional 175 beds will be added in critical-care areas, Mr. Gavras said. The shortage is boosting some nurses' salaries well beyond the national average. That's almost unheard of nowadays. The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council is doing what it can to alleviate the shortage.