CT Colleagues in CaringCT Colleagues in Caring

TestimonyTestimony

Nursing ShortageNursing Shortage

February 22, 2001February 22, 2001

Scope of Colleagues ProjectScope of Colleagues Project

Began nursing workforce analysis of supply Began nursing workforce analysis of supply and demand in CT in 1996 (RN & LPN)and demand in CT in 1996 (RN & LPN)

Does this work through a consortium of Does this work through a consortium of representatives from all segments of the representatives from all segments of the healthcare delivery system, nursing healthcare delivery system, nursing education system, professional nursing education system, professional nursing organizations, payers, labor, regulatory organizations, payers, labor, regulatory bodiesbodies

ReportsReports

Nursing Workforce Report Nursing Workforce Report Forecasting for Forecasting for the 21the 21stst Century Century December 1998December 1998

Nursing Workforce Status Report 2000Nursing Workforce Status Report 2000

December 2000December 2000

U.S. Department of Labor U.S. Department of Labor Criteria for Determining a Criteria for Determining a

Nursing ShortageNursing Shortage The occupation must be in disequilibrium The occupation must be in disequilibrium

where the number of workers employers where the number of workers employers wish to hire exceeds the number willing to wish to hire exceeds the number willing to work at prevailing wages.work at prevailing wages.

The market adjusts slowly, if at all, with the The market adjusts slowly, if at all, with the achievement of equilibrium requiring a achievement of equilibrium requiring a substantial period of time.substantial period of time.

RN Nursing ShortageRN Nursing Shortage1999-20011999-2001

1999 RN vacancy rates in acute care 1999 RN vacancy rates in acute care hospitals doubled from 3.7 in 1997 to 8%.*hospitals doubled from 3.7 in 1997 to 8%.*

1999 RN vacancy rate in specialty units 1999 RN vacancy rate in specialty units rose to 10%.rose to 10%.

1999 RN homecare vacancy rates rose to 1999 RN homecare vacancy rates rose to 9%.9%.

2001 RN vacancy rate in acute care 2001 RN vacancy rate in acute care hospitals has risen to 12%.hospitals has risen to 12%.

Industry ResponseIndustry Response

Increase in RN wages.Increase in RN wages. Increase in monetary incentives to work Increase in monetary incentives to work

extra shifts.extra shifts. Hiring bonuses.Hiring bonuses. Retention bonuses.Retention bonuses. More use of mandatory overtime.More use of mandatory overtime. More use of temporary and traveling RNs.More use of temporary and traveling RNs.

The NumbersThe Numbers

CT Registered Nurses 1996 41,296CT Registered Nurses 1996 41,296 CT Registered Nurses 2000 41,767CT Registered Nurses 2000 41,767 Net gain 471Net gain 471 Net gain for US 1996-2000-133,666Net gain for US 1996-2000-133,666

Source: National Survey Registered Nurse Source: National Survey Registered Nurse Population 2000Population 2000

New Data New Data Registered Nurse Population Registered Nurse Population

CT has 1,617 less RNs employed in 2000 CT has 1,617 less RNs employed in 2000 than in 1996.than in 1996.

CT has more RNs employed part-time in CT has more RNs employed part-time in 2000 than in 1996. Leaving a shortfall of 2000 than in 1996. Leaving a shortfall of 2011 FTEs.2011 FTEs.

Source: 1996 and 2000 National Survey Source: 1996 and 2000 National Survey Registered Nurse PopulationRegistered Nurse Population

Reasons for Decreased Reasons for Decreased Employment of RNsEmployment of RNs

Wages- good to start-but not for longevity.Wages- good to start-but not for longevity. Working conditions-increased dissatisfaction in Working conditions-increased dissatisfaction in

ability to deliver care.ability to deliver care. Retirements-CT RNs are older than US RNs.Retirements-CT RNs are older than US RNs. Family Responsibilities-53.2% of RNs have Family Responsibilities-53.2% of RNs have

children at home.children at home. Economic Status-72% of nurses are married and Economic Status-72% of nurses are married and

are second wage earners.are second wage earners. 95% are female, work less over their careers.95% are female, work less over their careers.

Nursing School EnrollmentsNursing School Enrollments

Enrollments have decreased in RN Enrollments have decreased in RN programs over the past 20 years from a high programs over the past 20 years from a high of 1400 to a low of 780 now.of 1400 to a low of 780 now.

A poorly qualified applicant pool has led to A poorly qualified applicant pool has led to 50% attrition rates in LPN programs and 50% attrition rates in LPN programs and 30% in RN programs.30% in RN programs.

Current capacity in RN programs is 950 per Current capacity in RN programs is 950 per year or class.year or class.

Capacity in LPN programs is 575.Capacity in LPN programs is 575.

RNs and LPNs Needed per Year RNs and LPNs Needed per Year to Avert a Severe Shortageto Avert a Severe Shortage

In order to replace the 50% of employed RNs In order to replace the 50% of employed RNs expected to retire in the next 15 years, we need to expected to retire in the next 15 years, we need to graduate 1200 RNs per year for the next 15 years.graduate 1200 RNs per year for the next 15 years.

We graduated 584 in 1998-1999, the last year for We graduated 584 in 1998-1999, the last year for which statistics are available.which statistics are available.

Current graduation rates of 350 LPNs is sufficient Current graduation rates of 350 LPNs is sufficient to replace retiring RNs as long as employers not to replace retiring RNs as long as employers not 1111using RNs continue not to do so.using RNs continue not to do so.

Ending the ShortageEnding the Shortage

Decrease Demand-Reduce access to care.Decrease Demand-Reduce access to care. Increase Supply.Increase Supply. Do a combination of both.Do a combination of both.

It’s time to increase the supply. It’s time to increase the supply. Colleagues in Caring supports the initiatives set Colleagues in Caring supports the initiatives set

forth in AN ACT CONCERNING THE forth in AN ACT CONCERNING THE NURSING AND HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE NURSING AND HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.SHORTAGE.

CT InitiativesCT Initiatives

Nursing Career Center of CT. Inc.Nursing Career Center of CT. Inc. RB 1374 AN ACT CONCERNING RB 1374 AN ACT CONCERNING

NURSING AND HEALTH CARE NURSING AND HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE SHORTAGEWORKFORCE SHORTAGE– Establishes Nursing CommissionEstablishes Nursing Commission– Increases funding to Nursing ProgramsIncreases funding to Nursing Programs– Has scholarship provisionsHas scholarship provisions– Increased Medicaid reimbursementIncreased Medicaid reimbursement– Establishes a technology access task forceEstablishes a technology access task force