Juntos Podemos is funded by HRSA
Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant No. 1 D19 HP40413-02
Norma Martínez Rogers, PhD, RN, Project Director
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We Need You to Become a Nurse
By Norma Martínez Rogers, PhD, RN Project Director for Juntos Podemos - A Mentorship Program
I just finished reading a report from the Health Resources and Services Administration titled, "Projected Supply, Demand and Shortage of Registered Nurses: 2000-2020". This report re-emphasized for me the importance of having programs/projects in the school of nursing that focus on retention by providing opportunities for nursing students to be academically successful. This reinforced the importance that Juntos Podemos, a mentorship program, and the need to have nursing students involved in this project.
It had been estimated that by the year 2000; there would be approximately 2 million registered nurses (RNs) in the United States. However, by the year 2000, there were only 1.89 million nurses. Thus there was a 6 percent shortage. Based on knowledge that predicts trends in the supply of RNs, it is anticipated that this shortage will increase slowly until 2010, at which time the shortage will be at 12 percent. At that time, the demand for RNs will begin to exceed supply and by 2015 this shortage will have almost quadrupled from 6 to 20 percent. In Texas it is estimated that by 2015 there will be a 17 percent shortage of RNs in the workforce. Adding to this shortage is the fact that the average age of RNs has climbed significantly in recent years; thus there will be a greater proportion of nurses who are fast approaching retirement age. The statistic which stands out in my mind is that the number of new RN licenses is projected to be 17 percent lower in 2020 than in 2002, while the loss from the RN license pool, due to death and retirement, is projected to be 128 percent higher.
So what does this mean for you as nursing student or potential nursing student? What it means is that you have chosen a profession that desperately needs you and will provide you tremendous opportunities for professional growth. In return your responsibility will be finishing school, passing the NCLEX, becoming a registered nurse, and actively working in this wonderful profession that is focused on patient-centered care. I ask each of you to take your studies seriously, be an active member of Juntos Podemos, and learn, not only to help yourself, but to also help others. Juntos Podemos, faculty and staff are committed to helping and supporting you.
