Many observers have noted how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may find the country at a
loss for primary care providers. A recent study by non-profit research RAND Corp in the November journal Health Affairs warns “projections suggest that if nothing changes in the delivery of primary care, the United States may face a substantial shortage of primary care physicians… by 2025.”
However, it also says the primary care provider shortage could be mitigated by as much 50% through an expansion of patient-centered medical homes and “nurse-managed” health centers.
Terrific! Nurses can help cover the oncoming shortage of primary care physicians right?
Unfortunately it may not be that simple: according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the U.S. is also projected to experience a shortage of nurses.
This shortage is expected to be exacerbated as Baby Boomers retire and the demand for services from all age groups increases as a result of the ACA. The AACN notes while there has been a recent easing of the current nursing shortage due to the recession, “the U.S. nursing shortage is projected to grow to 260,000 registered nurses (RN) by 2025… a shortage unmatched since the mid-1960s.”
How does Washington stack up? According to a recent University of Washington study “Washington is among the lowest in the nation for the ratio of RN’s to population: 789 per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 824 per 100,000.” The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) says “Washington State needs to graduate approximately 713 more RN graduates annually by 2031 to address the workforce issues.”
The AACN, the WSNA, and the University of Washington (home of one of the top nursing schools in the country), agree that enhancing access to educational opportunities is paramount in alleviating the oncoming care provider crisis. The UW study from above says “Nursing education (including continuing education) must not only keep up with demand for more RNs, but also is charged with producing nurses who have the knowledge and skills to teach, monitor, and manage care across health care settings and who can update that knowledge over the course of their careers.”