A Critical Shortage of Nurses
Moira Herbst, BusinessWeek
This story is the second in a series examining the state of the U.S. labor market. The U.S. is facing a severe nursing shortage. Already, an estimated 8.5 percent of the nursing positions in the U.S. are unfilled -- and some expect that number to triple by 2020 as 80 million baby boomers retire and expand the ranks of those needing care. Hospital administrators and nurses' advocates have declared a staffing crisis as the nursing shortage hits its 10th year, the longest stretch in 50 years. So why aren't nurses paid more?
