Nursing Shortage Most people have likely heard about the nursing shortage for years now and perhaps believe it has been solved. However, the nursing profession is experiencing a recurring shortage. According to Brian Hansen (2002), there was a nationwide shortage of 126,000 full-time registered nurses in 2001, but the shortage will increase to 808,000 by 2020 if something is not done. This pattern is a persistent cycle of high vacancies followed by layoffs and a high oversupply of professional nurses. Various factors contribute to nursing shortages within healthcare facilities, but today's shortages are a little different. Many believe this shortage is severe and prolonged. The four major issues contributing to the nursing shortage include supply, demand, educational preparation, and job satisfaction. Demand The demand for nurses is growing at an alarming rate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nursing employment rates will increase 26 percent from 2010 to 2020. Meeting the projected demand for nurses will require a significant number of nursing graduates to fill these positions. Additionally, the issue of filling positions with the aging nursing workforce will need to be addressed. This coincides with the growing need for nursing faculty. . Additionally, healthcare reforms are providing healthcare to more people. Therefore, this causes a huge increase in the need for more nurses. Aging Workforce Many nurses are simply aging and retiring from their professions. The overall age of nursing staff has steadily increased from 49 years in 1993 to 54 in 2004 for doctoral faculty and 46–50 years for master's faculty (“American Association,” 2005). Just 9% of the current... half of the paper......ook Manual: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2012, March 29). Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm Report to the Nursing Faculty Congress and Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program: The Forum, Findings, and the recommendations. (2010, April). Retrieved November 1, 2013, from https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/intergovernment-personnel-act/nursing.pdf So, you're a new nurse. And now? | Scrubs - The leading lifestyle nursing magazine with inspiring and informative nursing articles. (2010, October 21). Retrieved from http://scrubsmag.com/so-youre-a-new-nurse. -Now-what/Wood, D. (2009). Why have nurses abandoned the profession? - Nurse area. Retrieved November 3, 2013, from http://www.nursezone.com/nursing-news-events/more-news/ Why-Have-Nurses-Left-the-Profession_29118.aspx