---
title: What’s Next for Our National Nursing Shortage?
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/whats-next-for-our-national-nursing-shortage/"
type: post
date_published: 2024-02-12
date_modified: 2025-08-01
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 664
reading_time: 4 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/whats-next-for-our-national-nursing-shortage/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nursing-Shortage-Sign.jpg"
categories:
  - Newsroom
---

# What’s Next for Our National Nursing Shortage?

![Registered nurse holding nursing career shortage sign](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nursing-Shortage-Sign.jpg)

A few years after the pandemic and our country is still battling a national
nursing shortage. Dr. Amber Kool, Associate Provost for Arizona College of
Nursing, shares with _HR Daily Advisor_ predictions and long-term strategies to
combat the shortage.

---

**
[HR Daily Advisor](https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2024/01/15/whats-next-for-our-national-nursing-shortage/)
, Updated January 15th, 2024

_By Bianca Herron, Editor, HR Daily Advisor Staff_

According to Dr. Amber Kool, DNP, RN, Associate Provost for
[Arizona College of Nursing](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/), it’s going to be
a long process to solve the nursing crisis. As of August 2022, the Nurse Journal
reports that the main factors contributing to the shortage are a high nurse
turnover rate, senior nurses approaching retirement age, an increase in the
demand for care of the aging population, and a lack of educators and faculty in
the field.

In addition, Dr. Kool notes that nursing school enrollment is not keeping pace
with the demand for new nurses, even with high interest in the profession.

“Many qualified applicants are not admitted,” she explained. “There needs to be
more open slots in nursing programs to educate the next generation. This has
been something that has been building for more than twenty years. But I am
hopeful that there will be a neutralizing result in 2024 with the nursing
shortage. Those in the workforce are less likely to leave at this point, and I
believe that is stabilizing. However, we have work to do to balance patient
loads and improve nurses’ workload while on shift.

“I believe the pandemic resulted in an influx of individuals seeking a
profession in nursing as they saw this as an opportunity to make a difference
and help others,” she continued. “We still need to provide more education
opportunities for those who want to enter nursing, as education is a sector that
has yet to fully recover from the pandemic.”

---

In this Q&A, Dr. Kool discusses how organizations can resolve this, how certain
demographics are handling the shortage, and more.

### What ways can organizations resolve this?

**AK:** Hospitals and nursing programs must come together to support one
another. Partnerships that increase the ratio of students for clinical
experiences, dedicated education units, preceptor models, internships, and
externships are just a few strategies we can put in place now that will
positively impact the number of nurses in the future.

We also need to be creative with strategies to improve professional satisfaction
in the workplace. Examples include moving away from a 12-hour standard shift to
an eight- or ten-hour shift, compensation for retention, nursing mentoring
programs, and even shift differentials for going above and beyond in the
workplace.

### What insights can you share about the national nursing shortage?

**AK:** Burnout is a reason that is often cited for leaving the profession.
Nurses often face staffing shortages and longer hours. This can lead to
increased stress, compassion fatigue, and physical exhaustion. Organizations
that prioritize their employees’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being will
be more successful in retaining their nursing workforce.

### How are certain demographics handling the shortages?

![BSN degree nursing program campus leader Amber Kool](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/kool1.jpg)

Dr. Amber Kool

**AK:** The nursing shortage affects all areas, but urban areas have an easier
time recruiting nurses. Rural and remote areas often face the most significant
challenges where the availability of registered nurses is the lowest. It can be
challenging to get and retain nurses in rural America.

That means rural hospitals can only offer some of the services of their larger
counterparts, and residents of these communities must travel further for
healthcare.

### Is there anything else you’d like to add?

**AK:** Diversity is also a critical issue in nursing. Traditionally, nursing
has been white and female. If we want to impact the nursing shortage, we must
attract nurses from all backgrounds to the profession. Having an inclusive and
welcoming environment not only attracts top talent but also provides better
health outcomes.

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**Categories:** Newsroom