RD38 - Strategic Plan and Recommendations to Ensure an Adequate Supply of Nurses in Virginia


Executive Summary:
The shortage of nurses in Virginia is a condition that continues to threaten the stability of the Commonwealth’s healthcare system. If current trends continue, the demand for full-time-equivalent registered nurses (FTE RNs) in Virginia is projected to be 69,600 by the year 2020, while supply is anticipated to reach only 47,000 (see Appendix B). Without action, Virginia will be short 22,600 FTE RNs in sixteen years (32% shortfall).

To assist the General Assembly and the Governor in selecting a set of actions to ensure an adequate supply of nurses in the Commonwealth, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), in association with members of the healthcare community including the Advisory Council on the Future of Nursing in Virginia and the Virginia Board of Nursing, as well as institutions of higher education present "Strategic Plan and Recommendations to Ensure an Adequate Supply of Nurses in Virginia." The plan includes specific strategies for achieving the following four objectives:

(1) increase the current number of nursing faculty: 15% in two years and an additional 35% within 12 years;

(2) expand institutions’ capacity to prepare students in basic (LPN & RN) nursing programs by: 15% more students in two years and an additional 35% within 12 years;

(3) increase the number of graduates from basic (LPN & RN) and advanced degree nursing programs by: 15% in five years and an additional 35% within 15 years;

(4) improve retention of Virginia nurses in the workforce.