Michigan Nursing Shortage Expected :

 

 

Associated Press

State officials estimate that Michigan will be short about 7,000 nurses by 2010. By 2015, Michigan might need up to 18,000 more nurses than it will have in the work force. Similar shortages are faced in several other states, and national labor experts have pegged nursing as one of the hottest growth industries over the next several years.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants to create what she's calling the Michigan Nursing Corps - a three-year, $45 million plan to train 500 more nursing instructors to help graduate 3,000 additional nurses.

Coming up with money to pay for the program could be a challenge. State government faces a projected budget deficit of roughly $900 million for this fiscal year.

The state already is in the process of investing about $30 million to help Michigan's community colleges and universities build up capacity to handle more nursing students. And several of Michigan's regional work force development programs include efforts to recruit nurses, nurses' aides and other health care workers.

A registered nurse can expect to earn $18 to $55 an hour. A licensed practical nurse typically earns $14 to $23 an hour.

The average age of a Michigan nurse last year was about 45 or 46. The average age of a nursing faculty member is about 55. The state's nursing shortage could get worse as those nurses and instructors age and retire.