Nurse shortage in Indiana

American Health Care Association (AHCA) recently released a report that indicated Indiana's vacancy rate among staff registered nurses (RNs) in skilled nursing facilities is 26 percent and 13.7 percent in certified nurses aides.

In response to the report about the nursing shortage, Indiana Health Care Association (IHCA) will press congress and the new administration to develop healthcare reform plans.

"Indiana's long-term care workforce is facing a shortage crisis which must be remedied to ensure that our community is able to provide high quality care to the millions of frail, elderly and disabled Americans we care for," IHCA President Stephen Smith said.

A study released by AHCA in 2007 found nearly 110,000 full-time equivalent health care personnel were needed to fill vacant nursing positions nationwide. The shortage has been exacerbated by the challenge of finding enough nurse educators to train a skilled workforce.

"Funding and expanding training programs to ensure a large, well trained labor pool is essential to growing our workforce." Smith said.

"Congress and the administration must induce reforms allowing states to hire, train and retain direct care workers in order to close the gap between current supply and future demand," AHAC President and CEO Bruce Yarwood said.