Q. Does Ohio have a shortage of health care workers today?

A. Yes. Severe workforce shortages continue to threaten hospitals’ fundamental promise of being open at full capacity to care for their communities. Data from Ohio’s hospitals show significant vacancy rates in certain health care professions such as respiratory therapy, pharmacy, medical technology and radiology technology.

Position	2002 Turnover	2002 Vacancy	2003 Turnover	2003 Vacancy	2004 Turnover	2004 Vacancy	2005 Turnover	2005 Vacancy	2006 Turnover	2006 Vacancy
Registered Nurse	11.3%	5.4%	11.7%	4.7%	10.9%	4.8%	13.1%	5.7%	13.5%	5.1%
Radiology Technologist	N/A	N/A	10.8%	12%	9.1%	8.7%	12.9%	9.8%	12.6%	8.8%
Respiratory Therapist	11.7%	N/A	12.5%	9.1%	12.9%	10.3%	14.3%	10.1%	16.4%	9.4%
Medical Technologist	N/A	N/A	8.5%	6.2%	7.7%	6.3%	12.5%	7.2%	12.8%	8.6%
Organization-wide	14.3%	N/A	13.3%	N/A	13%	N/A	13.4%	N/A	13.5%	N/A

Q. Is there a nursing shortage today?

A. Yes. OHA data indicate a nearly 6 percent vacancy rate for registered nurses in Ohio in 2004. This rate is an improvement over the past several years, but with the large baby boomer population continuing to age, the vacancy rate for nurses in Ohio is projected to increase. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis of the Health Resources Services Administration predicts Ohio will reach a shortfall of almost 32,000 registered nurses by the year 2020 (a 29 percent shortage). Registered nursing ranks as the occupation with the highest projected growth rate, with the nation expected to need 2.8 million nurses by the year 2020—800,000 more than the projected supply.

Projected Supply, Demand for Full Time Equivalent RNs in Ohio: 2000-2020

YEAR	FTE Supply	FTE Demand	Shortage	% Shortage
2000	86,912	88,957	-2,045	-2%
2005	89,288	94,204	-4,916	-5%
2010	88,947	99,405	-10,458	-11%
2015	85,541	105,593	-20,052	-19%
2020	79,716	111,693	-31,977	-29%

Q. In addition to nursing shortages, what positions are in shortest supply in Ohio hospitals?

A. 2006 data indicate the highest vacancy rates are in the following health professions:

· Medical technologist, 8.6% vacancy

· Pharmacist, 10.6% vacancy

· Radiologist technologist, 8.8% vacancy

· Respiratory therapist, 9.4% vacancy

(OHA Salary Survey 2006)

Q. Is the shortage improving?

A. Yes. Although the predictions continue to point to significant nursing shortages in the future, current statistics indicate an improving picture for Ohio. This improvement is because of the dedication of Ohio hospitals to resolving the problem before it harms their communities. In 2003 and 2004, the number of vacancies in Ohio’s hospitals dropped. In 2002 the statewide average hospital vacancy rate for registered nurses was 10.8 percent and in 2004 was 5.97 percent. (Management Science Associates, 2004).

Q. Why is overcoming the shortage an uphill battle?

A. The demand for registered nurses and other health care workers will continue to rise as the 78 million “baby boomers” continue to age and require additional health care. Two fifths of Ohio’s oldest baby boomers (55-64 age group) will be retiring by 2010. At this point, health occupations are projected to account for approximately one in seven new jobs for Ohioans, due largely to the need to care for this large aging population and longer life expectancy.

Q. How is this shortage different from the previous shortages?

A. As the entire population ages, so does the need for health care personnel around the world. Unfortunately, there isn’t a large enough population in the post baby boom age groups to replace our current and future hospital workforce without improved recruitment and retention programs. In the shortages of the past, hospitals filled their vacancies by recruiting in other parts of the nation and worldwide. This health care shortage is different because it is being felt everywhere. Also, the usual fixes, such as hiring bonuses, flooding schools of nursing and encouraging retired nurses back into the system, will not be enough to meet the needs of Ohio citizens.

Q. What are hospitals doing to ensure an adequate Ohio healthcare workforce?

A. Hospitals are working to attract students into nursing careers and retain current nurses in the workforce through the programs below and other hospital-specific efforts. The state’s regional hospital associations in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo organized local efforts to address their unique workforce needs. They developed local partnerships with institutions of higher education, increasing the pipeline for schools preparing nurses.

FutureThink: This program was created by OHA to help the hospital community think outside our normal paradigms to create long-term solutions to workforce shortages and meet and exceed the needs of our patients.
Focus on students: Akron Regional Hospital Association: created a comprehensive booklet to share health care career opportunities with high school guidance counselors and students throughout Ohio. Many hospitals offer tours and job shadowing experiences to students interested in careers in health care.
Columbus Healthcare Workforce Center: A collaborative effort of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce Associations, hospital systems, nursing education providers and the Greater Columbus Chamber to research the problem and generate community solutions.
Hospitals as choice employers: Ohio’s hospitals seek standards such as the Nursing Magnet Designation that set them apart as quality employers.
Incumbent Worker Training Grant: The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services awarded this grant to the Research and Educational Foundation of the Ohio Hospital Association to distribute to Ohio hospitals. Thirty-two hospitals received funding for programs designed to find potential candidates for their needed vacancies and openings.
Joint state-level efforts: OHA joined over 35 other statewide public and private organizations to discuss possible policy solutions to the current and future shortages of health care providers. Proposed solutions were presented to the Governors Workforce Policy Board.
OHA Workforce Work Group: This group of hospital CEOs, human resource and public relations professions, registered nurses and allied association representatives set goals to decrease turnover, examine credentialing, and increase patient satisfaction among other things to help solve the shortage.
Nurse Promotion Taskforce: This taskforce established goals such as improving the public image of nurses, reaching out to school guidance counselors, improving recruitment, and is considering PSA possibilities. This group includes the Ohio Health Care Association, Ohio Department of Education, Association of Ohio Philanthropic Homes, Housing and Services for the Aging, OHA, Ohio Learning Network, Ohio Associations of the Colleges of Nursing, and Ohio Council for Home Care.
Regional efforts: OHA’s regional allied associations each have specific goals and objectives addressing the workforce shortage pertaining to their local needs.
Health Care Workforce Shortage Task Force: This group, created under Ohio Department of Health HB 94, was established and created goals including reviewing licensure standards, eliminating barriers in scopes of practice, and developing projects and education strategies that address the shortage.

Q. Despite workforce shortages, has overall employment in Ohio hospitals continued to rise?

A. Yes. According to the American Hospital Association, Ohio hospitals continue to increase employment. The number of hospital jobs in Ohio increased from 210,920 in 1998 to 227,791 in 2002. Projections outline an even sharper upturn over the next 10 years, due primarily to the increasing health care needs of an aging Ohio population. While other employers may export jobs or reduce their workforces during economic downturns, hospital jobs remain local and vital. Unlike other industries and services, the economy does not drive the number of people who need health care.

Q. What is the Magnet Hospital Recognition Program?

A. The Magnet Hospital Recognition Program is a prestigious honor that recognizes hospitals that are successful in recruiting and retaining nurses. The award is the highest level of recognition awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Hospitals that achieve magnet status have a working environment that supports nursing excellence. Criteria for the ANCC award is based on a 1983 American Academy of Nursing study and on the American Nursing Association's Standards for Organized Nursing Services. The ANCC selection criteria address nine areas including nursing philosophy and structure, expertise and role of nursing administration, fiscal resource management, use of the nursing process, organizational environment that supports professional practice, quality assurance programs, ethics, use of nursing research and recognition of a diverse client population. View a list of Magnet hospitals.

Q. Is the struggling U.S. economy the reason for the health care shortage?

A. No. While the nation’s unemployment rate has climbed to its highest level in six years at 5.7 percent, the health care sector continues to be a bright spot. The health care sector is very stable because of the high demand for workers. According to the HRSA, 10.5 percent of the national workforce was health-care-related in 1999. The total number of workers was a little over 12.5 million and that number is going to increase dramatically. It is expected that in the next decade 1.6 million health care jobs will need to be added, including 561,000 registered nurse positions (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Q. How does one become a Registered Nurse (RN)?

A. Nursing requirements differ only slightly from state to state. Each state has a Board of Nursing that is responsible for setting requirements and licensing nurses. To earn an RN license in Ohio, a Board of Nursing approved two-to-four year educational program must first be completed. Upon completion of an RN educational program, the student can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NLCEX). The Ohio Board of Nursing grants a license to practice as a registered nurse if the NCLEX is passed. To understand the requirements set forth by Ohio, visit the Ohio Board of Nursing at http://www.state.oh.us/nur/.

Q. What is the average salary of a Registered Nurse (RN)?

A. The average salary for a registered nurse was approximately $47,000 in 2000. Register nurse salaries have doubled since 1984 (AHA Facts at a Glance, 2001)

Q. Are there scholarship or loan programs available for interested health care professionals?

A. There are numerous opportunities available for financial assistance through scholarships, loans, work-study programs, or tuition reimbursement. Contact Ohio hospitals for available financial assistance programs or visit www.ohanet.org/workforce/careerdev.asp for more information.

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