Conn. Projected to Have Second Worst Nursing Shortage in the Nation

Conn. projected to have second worst nursing shortage in nation

Posted May 17, 20074:45 PM
(Wallingford-WTNH)_Hospitals throughout Connecticut are experiencing vacancy rates of between 6 and 11 percent for critical healthcare professionals, a situation that is expected to worsen in the next decade.
According to a new report released today by the Connecticut Hospital Association, projections are that by 2020 Connecticut will be facing a shortage of 22,400 nurses. That would give Connecticut the distinction of having the second worst nursing shortage in the nation, second only to Alaska.
The shortage of critical healthcare professionals goes beyond nursing, however. Hospitals are also facing shortages of pharmacists, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and other critical caregivers.
The report points out that the aging of the population is placing more demands on the healthcare system at a time when there is a shrinking and aging pool of workers. In fact, during the years 2004 and 2005, approximately 2,000 qualified applicants were turned away from Connecticut nursing schools due to a shortage of qualified faculty.