Estimating the market for nursing personnel in North Carolina

To facilitate nurse workforce planning in the United States at the state level, the North Carolina Center for Nursing conducted a statewide survey of nurse employers to describe the current market for nurses; identify the types of nursing personnel in short supply; estimate the effect of organizational changes on nursing demand; examine preferences for RNs with varying levels of education; and identify the specific skills or competencies desired by employers.

Descriptive.

A geographically stratified random sample of 909 nurse-employing organizations in North Carolina was surveyed in 1996 by telephone. A total of 667 interviews were completed for a response rate of 78%. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses are reported.

A nursing labor market was found characterized by uncertainty in hospitals, particularly those undergoing reorganization, but of definite growth outside of hospitals. Demand is increasing for unlicensed assistive personnel, RNs with baccalaureate degrees, some advanced practice RNs, and in hospitals, for RNs with master's degrees in management. Recruitment continues to be a major challenge to hospitals in specialty areas, particularly critical care and surgery. In the community sector, demand is strong for all types of nursing personnel. Tests for substitution of specific types of nursing personnel revealed no systematic substitution by employers. Critical thinking and management skills were competencies most valued by hospital employers while specific clinical competencies, including assessment skills and technical skills, received priority emphasis by community-based employers.

Although change is occurring in the health system of North Carolina, there remains a strong demand for nursing personnel. The findings pose a challenge to produce a nursing workforce sufficient in numbers and education.