• Many hospitals are unprepared for another COVID surge due to inadequate staffing.
• Certain geographic areas are at a higher risk of hospitals reaching capacity than others.
• Some states are investing in hiring new nurses and expanding nursing programs.

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Since May 2022, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have risen in at least [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/18/us/covid-us-outlook.html”]40 states[/hen-ui-link]. With nurses quitting in record numbers, hospitals are unprepared for another potential surge in cases come fall and winter.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Discover what states are doing to combat the nursing shortage and how these measures will affect nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nursing Shortages Around the U.S.[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In March 2022, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aha.org/lettercomment/2022-03-01-aha-provides-information-congress-re-challenges-facing-americas-health”]American Hospital Association[/hen-ui-link] said the nursing shortage has become a “national emergency” and predicted the deficit of nurses in the U.S. to reach 1.1 million by the end of the year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certain [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/the-us-nursing-shortage-state-by-state-breakdown//”]geographic areas are suffering nursing shortages[/hen-ui-link] more than others. According to data from the White House COVID-19 Response Team, West and East Coast states have the [hen-ui-link href=”https://healthdata.gov/Health/COVID-19-Community-Profile-Report/gqxm-d9w9″]highest concentrations[/hen-ui-link] of sustained hotspots.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unsurprisingly, hospitals in major cities typically exceed capacity because viruses spread more quickly in urban areas.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most counties in the Rocky Mountain states and the western Plains, where populations are smaller and more spread out, have relatively low to moderate levels of cases.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]But shortages can also occur in rural areas. Hospitals in less populous places aren’t as prepared for influxes of patients. According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.kff.org/health-costs/press-release/interactive-maps-highlight-urban-rural-differences-in-hospital-bed-capacity/”]Kaiser Family Foundation[/hen-ui-link], rural hospitals typically have fewer intensive care unit (ICU) beds — about 1.7 per 10,000 people versus 2.8 in urban areas. This means they can become overwhelmed more easily than urban care centers with larger capacities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Additionally, nurses are typically paid more in cities, making it harder for rural hospitals to hire and keep new nurses during shortages.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following table shows where the most severe shortages of nurses will occur in terms of the greatest difference between projected supply and demand. You will notice that the list includes a mix of highly populated states and more rural states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Forecast of States Where the Most Severe Shortage of Registered Nurses Will Occur[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Rank[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]State[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Supply (2030)[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Demand (2030)[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Difference[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]1[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]California[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]343,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]387,900[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]-44,500[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]2[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Texas[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]253,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]269,300[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]-15,900[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]3[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]New Jersey[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]90,800[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]102,200[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]-11,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]4[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]South Carolina[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]52,100[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]62,500[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]-10,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]5[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Alaska[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]18,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]23,800[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]–5,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]6[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Georgia[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]98,800[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]101,000[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]-2,200[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]7[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]South Dakota[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]11,700[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]13,600[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]-1,900[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]8[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Montana[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]12,300[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]12,100[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]200[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]9[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]North Dakota[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]9,900[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]9,200[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]700[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]10[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]New Hampshire[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Supply (2030)”]21,300[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Demand (2030)”]20,200[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Difference”]1,100[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-right text-sm”]Sources: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.usa.edu/blog/nursing-shortage/”]University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/data-research/nchwa-hrsa-nursing-report.pdf”]U.S. Health and Human Services[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How States Are Responding to the Nursing Shortage[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]States are taking matters into their own hands to address the current shortage of nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]General Staffing[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]States received coronavirus relief money from the federal government to invest in education, housing assistance, small businesses, and healthcare. Some states have used the funding to boost hospital staffing, including Arizona, Idaho, and Utah.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In 2020, Arizona allocated [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/state-actions-on-coronavirus-relief-funds.aspx”]$85 million[/hen-ui-link] for hospital staffing and overtime expenses, including an additional 500 nurses. Idaho dedicated $5 million toward helping hospitals add additional staff. And Utah allotted $750,000 toward increasing staffing in its ICUs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More recently, Oregon has [hen-ui-link href=”https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2022/07/29/merkley-wyden-announce-long-list-of-federally-funded-oregon-projects-in-senate-appropriations-bills/”]secured funding[/hen-ui-link] that includes $318 million to support nurses in Oregon and across the country. Michigan has also approved [hen-ui-link href=”https://mibiz.com/sections/health-care/legislature-approves-300m-in-covid-relief-funding-to-help-retain-health-care-workers”]further funding[/hen-ui-link], including $300 million to help healthcare providers attract and retain staff.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Hiring Travel Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many hospitals have also resorted to hiring [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/travel-nurse/”]travel nurses[/hen-ui-link] due to difficulty finding nurses willing to take full-time positions. However, since travel nurses receive higher wages than staff nurses, this has required additional federal funding in some states.[/hen-ui-text]

• Hawaii received [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/01/20/fema-provide-48m-hire-mainland-healthcare-workers-amid-omicron-surge/”]$95 million[/hen-ui-link] for travel healthcare workers.
• Georgia paid more than [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ajc.com/news/coronavirus/hospitals-overreliance-on-travel-nurses-continues-to-drive-up-costs/BDYLNI4FEJGQ5GZA4PI7LPD3E4/”]half a billion[/hen-ui-link] dollars to one travel nurse agency alone.
• Texas used [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/11/29/texas-has-spent-7b-in-federal-money-to-pay-temporary-health-care-workers-during-covid-pandemic/”]$7 billion[/hen-ui-link] in federal funds to pay for temporary nurses and other healthcare workers.

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Demand for travel nurses reached a record high in 2021 and lessened after the wave subsided. But since cases have picked up in many areas of the country, demand has been rising since May, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/15/magazine/traveling-nurses.html”]The New York Times reports[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For instance, as of [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/12/metro/nursing-shortage-hospitals-leads-multimillion-dollar-costs/”]June 2022[/hen-ui-link], the shortage of nurses in Massachusetts has more than doubled since 2019. UMass Memorial Health currently needs about 500 more nurses and other healthcare workers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Investing in Nursing Education[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to meeting current staffing needs, some states plan to invest in nursing education.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Part of the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/why-is-there-a-nursing-shortage//”]reason there is currently a shortage of nurses[/hen-ui-link] is because nursing programs have limited capacities. If universities had larger budgets for hiring additional instructors, they could accept more students into their nursing programs. Then, the number of new nurses would increase.[/hen-ui-text]

• Arizona recently passed House Bill 2691, which allocates up to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.azfamily.com/2022/07/06/arizona-looks-address-nursing-shortage-through-new-bill/”]$15 million[/hen-ui-link] toward a nurse education investment pilot program.
• Washington introduced similar legislation in 2022. It distributed [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/state/nursing-programs-statewide-see-new-funding-from-legislature-but-some-existing-programs-were-left-out/article_831bac80-c039-545e-8649-096f6b3bda41.html”]$38 million[/hen-ui-link] to create and expand nursing programs throughout the state.
• Montana is funneling [hen-ui-link href=”https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/msu-nursing-program-receives-39-million-grant”]$3.9 million in funding[/hen-ui-link] from the U.S. Health Resources Services Administration into Montana State University’s nursing college and its partners.
• Connecticut also recently announced its decision to use [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.journalinquirer.com/connecticut_and_region/adressing-the-need-for-nurses/article_9f259bb2-1408-11ed-aa8f-c34506311340.html”]$35 million in federal funding[/hen-ui-link] to fuel healthcare education.
• The State University of New York (SUNY) partnered with ECMC Hospital in Buffalo, NY to offer up to 50 students [hen-ui-link href=”http://ecmc”]$1,500 per year[/hen-ui-link] to cover student expenses that federal and state grants won’t cover.

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]3 Ways That Efforts to Reduce Nursing Shortages Affect Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]So, how might these changes affect nurses and nursing students?[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Better Wages[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The pandemic has marked an incredibly challenging time for nurses. But it has also drawn more attention to issues nurses have long advocated for, such as the pursuit of higher wages.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-union-pros-cons/”]nurse unions[/hen-ui-link] have successfully [hen-ui-link href=”/ask-a-nurse/how-to-negotiate-a-higher-salary/”]negotiated higher nursing salaries[/hen-ui-link] since the pandemic. And a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nurse.com/nursing-salary-research-report”]2022 survey[/hen-ui-link] of more than 2,500 nurses reflects this. It found that the median registered nurse’s (RN’s) salary increased from $73,000 in 2020 to $78,000 by the end of 2021 — a 7% increase.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By comparison, RN salaries only increased by an average of about 1.3% per year from [hen-ui-link href=”https://resources.nurse.com/salaries-upswing?_gl=1*11zx4hm*_ga*NDA1MDgxNDY2LjE2NTk2NDc0OTM.*_ga_V9J6S91K45*MTY1OTcxNTcwMC4yLjAuMTY1OTcxNTcwMC42MA..&_ga=2.121461064.1138414425.1659647493-405081466.1659647493″]2008 to 2014[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It appears that some healthcare employers recognize the value of their nurses. However, whether or not the wage boost will remain after the pandemic is yet to be seen.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Better Staffing Ratios[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A major issue related to the nursing shortage is insufficient nurse-to-patient ratios. Since most states don’t mandate hospitals to maintain sufficient nurse-to-patient ratios, many have been understaffed for years. So when COVID-19 hit, hospitals were ill-prepared and nurses suffered.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many healthcare facilities that have received COVID-19 relief funding have improved their staffing ratios. However, the cash is drying up, and it’s unclear whether these new ratios will remain.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Still, the pandemic has brought the issue of staffing ratios into the public eye, which has increased pressure on lawmakers and hospitals to do more to solve the ongoing problem.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some states have finally begun to adopt legislation that holds healthcare facilities to minimum staffing standards, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. Hopefully, this trend will continue to gain traction, and more states will follow.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Increased Ease of Entry Into Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Getting accepted to a nursing program can be extremely competitive. Each year, thousands of qualified applicants are rejected. Some of the most competitive schools have acceptance rates [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursing.uci.edu/2018/09/fall-2018-incoming-classes/”]as low as 2.5%[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In light of the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/post-pandemic-nursing-shortage/”]ongoing shortage of nurses[/hen-ui-link], many wonder why nursing schools are rejecting potential students. It’s not just because schools have high standards; it’s also because of limited capacity. Many universities say they don’t have the budget to hire more nursing instructors.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]States that have funneled COVID-19 relief funds into their universities’ nursing programs should have more room for incoming students in upcoming enrollment periods, meaning entrance into nursing schools will become less competitive.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Should You Do Next?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New opportunities and avenues to enter the field of nursing are emerging. Since the situation is constantly evolving, your best bet is to continuously check your local news and the web pages of nursing schools to discover any changes in legislation, jobs, and increased program capacity.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Additionally, many nursing programs are introducing [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/best-accelerated-bsn-programs-online/”]accelerated nursing programs[/hen-ui-link] across the country. Universities in Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Florida, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and California have all announced plans to introduce fast-track nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you have recently graduated and are looking for work, be aware of your value. Due to the ongoing shortage of nurses, you have significant leverage when negotiating salary. So, you don’t have to settle for the first offer.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You may also consider applying to travel nursing agencies. These organizations will help place you at healthcare centers in need of staff. While [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/travel-nurse/”]working as a travel nurse[/hen-ui-link] is less predictable regarding the longevity of contracts, it is a good way to gain experience and maximize your income.[/hen-ui-text]