Nursing shortages

Nursing shortages occur when there aren't enough registered nurses to meet patient care demands. This can happen due to factors like an aging nursing workforce nearing retirement, increased healthcare needs, and burnout from high-stress environments. Limited nursing school capacity also restricts new graduates entering the workforce. These shortages can lead to longer wait times, increased workload for remaining nurses, and potential impacts on patient safety and quality of care. Addressing this issue requires efforts to expand training programs, improve working conditions, and attract more individuals into the nursing profession.