Florida’s nursing shortage eases

After experiencing one of the worst shortages in decades during the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Florida’s supply of nurses is finally rebounding more than three years later with vacancies 3% lower than the national rate.

According to a 2023 survey released by the Florida Hospital Association in November, the state’s hospitals saw a 38% reduction in nurse turnover and vacancy rates. Recent data from the Florida Center for Nursing also projects the shortage of nurses will continue decreasing, with the gap between supply and demand closing significantly by 2030.

While the nation has experienced a crucial shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals in the years since the pandemic, the situation has uniquely impacted Florida as it has the second-highest number of seniors in the US with nearly 20% of its population 65 and older.

In 2019, Florida already faced a shortage of at least 11,000 nurses due to increasing demand. During the Covid-19 pandemic, this shortage was exacerbated as many nurses left the industry or retired early due to burnout, exhaustion and poor pay.

As the demand for nurses and healthcare professionals is forecast to increase through 2030, the supply is also projected to increase as efforts to augment the nursing supply prove fruitful.

The Florida Hospital Association’s 2023 report, which surveyed 200 hospitals in the state, shows a substantial decrease in both vacancy and turnover rates for nurses. Florida’s nurse vacancy rate is now 13%, down from the 2022 vacancy rate of 21% and below the national average of 16%.

The association has cited improved healthcare industry conditions, nursing schools’ commitment, and the state’s efforts to recruit more nurses as key factors contributing to the reduction of the nursing shortage. The Florida Legislature approved $125 million in funding for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to further support nursing schools.

According to the Florida Center for Nursing via the Florida Health Resources & Services Administration Supply and Demand dashboard, the current shortage of registered nurses is projected to decrease by 2030.

The dashboard shows that in 2020, the demand was 224,820 while the supply was only 199,180, reflecting a shortage of 25,640 registered nurses. In 2030, the demand is projected to increase to 279,190 with the supply at 270,020, resulting in a shortage of only 9,170 registered nurses.

While the numbers indicated a step in the right direction, Florida still needs to recruit more nurses as the state’s population is forecast to grow significantly and reach approximately 25 million residents over the next decade. An estimated 59,100 more nurses and 36,000 physicians will be needed by 2035.