December 10, 2003

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2003

Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Hospital Association (FHA) released its annual nursing survey today and the data show an improvement in efforts to reduce nurse turnover rates. The turnover rate, or the percentage of nurses leaving the hospital during the year, fell dramatically to 12.4%, a 44% decline from the rate reported in 2002. This is an indication that hospital retention strategies are having an impact. “We are pleased the turnover rate is on the decline and it further demonstrates that hospitals are working harder to retain their nurses and responding to the needs of the profession,” said Wayne NeSmith, FHA President.

However, the reports also revealed that one-in-ten (9.9%) of the registered nursing positions in Florida hospitals were vacant in February 2003. While the data indicate some improvements, the nursing shortage is still at a critical level. Based on the FHA sample of hospitals, it is estimated that approximately 6,200 RN positions were vacant during the survey period.

Challenges in filling positions were also noted in the survey. Hospitals reported difficulty in filling the more specialized nursing positions and selected shifts. One-third of the hospitals responding indicated taking longer than 90 days to fill any vacant nursing position. Adult critical care and evening/night shifts were the hardest positions to fill. “These challenges will likely remain as hospitals’ need for nurses increases due to greater demands for hospital services, said Kim Streit, VP/Health Care Research and Information, the report’s lead researcher. The costs associated with filling the nursing vacancies reached $186.5 million in 2002 according to survey respondents.

Although hospitals have focused on their retention and recruitment efforts, the need for more nurses continues to exceed the supply. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects by 2020, Florida will need 61,000 more nurses than what is projected to be available. Enrollments in nursing schools will fall short in replacing the nurses that will soon retire from the nursing field. “Both policy makers and business leaders need to recognize the long-term impact the nursing shortage will have on Florida’s hospitals and the communities we serve,” said Wayne NeSmith. “As Floridians continue to age and our state grows, the need for more nurses is apparent. Many businesses, and especially seniors, relocate to Florida because of our outstanding health care system and our nurses play a central role in the delivery of care in our communities.” said NeSmith.

Since 1987, FHA has surveyed hospitals annually on nurse staffing issues, specifically looking at vacancy rates, turnover rates, and length of time to fill open positions. The survey is designed to identify issues hospitals might be experiencing regarding nurse staffing. This year, 83 health systems representing 107 hospitals responded to the survey which was e-mailed to 215 hospitals last February.

Executive Summary

Nursing Survey Results