This survey confirms a looming crisis in Vermont's nursing workforce.

BACKGROUND

In order to provide Vermonters with useful information on the status of Vermont's nurse workforce, the Office of Nursing Workforce Research, Planning and Development has prepared this report. A survey of 6,008 registered nurses (85% of all licensed Vermont nurses) was completed in March, 2001. This survey was included in relicensure materials and was not mandatory. The Vermont Department of Health analyzed the results of the survey. The last survey of RNs done by the Vermont Board of Nursing was conducted in 1997.

KEY FINDINGS

Of those surveyed, 4,346 reported that they worked as an RN in Vermont. The following describes these working registered nurses in the state of Vermont.

Basic Demographics:

95% of RNs are female, 5% are male

97% of Vermont RNs are Caucasian

Age range: 21-81 years Median age: 46 years, 75% are over 40 years.

Education:

29% completed a Diploma program

44% completed an Associate's Degree program

37% completed a Bachelor's Degree program

5% completed a Master's Degree program

Less than 1% completed a Doctoral program

28% has other non-nursing degrees

Employment (setting of primary position):

Hospitals employ 40% of Vermont RNs

Ambulatory care settings, physician's offices, and community health center together employ 15%

Home health agencies employ 11%

Long term care facilities employ 9%

"Other" settings employ 9%

Schools employ 6%

Public health agencies employ <3%

Nursing schools and mental health centers employ <2%

Assisted Living facilities, independent practice, and correctional facilities each employ <1%

A second job in a different setting was reported by 20%.

14 years is average # of years worked as an RN in Vermont.

DISCUSSION OF THOSE FINDINGS

In order for a high quality health care system to be retained in Vermont, an adequate supply of skilled professional nurses must be assured for years to come. Numerous studies and reports have identified parameters framing a profound nursing shortage. These include: the aging of society2, an aging nursing workforce1,3, a decline in nursing enrollments4,5, increasing technology and other advances6,7, and a shrinking pool of qualified nursing faculty8. In Vermont, this shortage will be exacerbated by retirement of a large cohort within 10 to 20 years, and, if patterns continue, RNs leaving nursing due to dissatisfaction with assignment or salary. The current pipeline of younger nurses and enrolled students is not adequate to fill this void. This 2001 survey of Vermont's registered nurses confirms that Vermont's workforce is at risk of being inadequate to meet future needs if recruitment and retention initiatives are not implemented.