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Abstract: 

An emerging issue within the United States is the lack of availability of nursing professionals. There is a decline in the number of both Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) throughout the country, although the shortfall remains somewhat regionalized at this point. Although the United States experienced two specific periods of nursing shortage in the past, after World War II during the baby boom years, and during the late 1980s, this shortage is somewhat different. This current nursing shortage is not cyclical, and does not appear to be shortterm. There is actually a global shortage of nursing professionals in locations where the United States has traditionally recruited during an American shortage, such as Canada, Ireland/Great Britain, and the Philippines. Again, technology has an influence, but the overall issue is higher employmentin general, and greater opportunities for employment beyond traditional avenues, with greater demand for nursing during the same time period.

Keywords: average age, career alternatives, LPN, BSN RN, mandatory minimum, hepatitis C, HIV, Recruitment, competitive wages, retention, paraprofessional

Affiliations:  1: independent consultant.