Economic Analysis of Nursing Shortage

The document discusses the nursing shortage in the United States. It states that the US is experiencing a decline in the ratio of nurses to patients, with vacancy rates ranging from 10-13% and some hospitals reporting over 20% vacancies. This shortage is expected to grow as baby boomers retire and need more medical care. The majority of registered nurses are baby boomers and will be retiring soon. There is currently not enough new nurses entering the field to replace the large number that will retire. This will result in a significant nursing shortage in the coming decades.