Is Victoria experiencing a nursing shortage?

Is Victoria experiencing a nursing shortage?
Average vacancy rate for registered nurses in Texas is about 11 percent
May 18, 2007 - Posted at 12:00 a.m.
BY GABE SEMENZA - VICTORIA ADVOCATE
Want the good news? If you're thinking about a Victoria nursing career, you'll have job security. The bad news? There's a reason for that.

"Texas faces a severe shortage of registered nurses," said Dr. Dan Stultz, CEO of the Texas Hospital Association. "The average hospital vacancy rate for registered nurses is about 11 percent, while specialty areas face even higher vacancy rates. The U.S. Department of Labor projects more new jobs for registered nurses than for any other occupation through 2012."

But nursing shortages can spur a decline in the quality of care to patients. Maybe that's why Texas lawmakers are wrestling with two versions of the state's two-year budget - a House plan that allocates $14 million to funding nurse recruitment and training, and a Senate plan that earmarks $6.7 million.

While lawmakers tussle, Victoria hospitals grapple with recruiting and retaining nurses of their own. Even so, local experts say Victoria has it pretty good.

"No, we don't have a shortage," said Diane Burke, nursing director at Citizens Medical Center. "I say we have just a handful of vacancies." more

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