Doubling the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020: predicting the right number or getting it right?

摘要

CURRENTLY, FEWER THAN 1% OF nUTS- es have a doctoral degree. In light of data forecasting substantial shortfalls in the numbers of nurses by 2020 (Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], 2004), the nation's workforce supply chain will be crippled as faculty age out of acade-mia with a limited pipeline of replacement nurse educators impeding the adequate preparation of new nurses. Even with conservative workforce estimates, some projections suggest the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will likely increase demand for health providers including RNs. Coupled with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) The Future of Nursing. Leading Change, Advancing Health (2010) proposal for a more-educated nursing workforce including the recommendation to increase the proportion of RNs who have an earned baccalaureate degree from 50%, which is what it is now, to 80% over the next 10 years, the need for doctorally prepared teachers is even more critical.