Texas Nurses Step Up as State Faces Critical Nursing Shortage

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Texas is positioned to grow and strengthen its healthcare workforce, given a projected shortage of more than 57,000 registered nurses by 2032. This is a 16% gap that presents the state with the opportunity to expand and innovate the healthcare workforce to meet the growing healthcare needs of its population.1 As healthcare demand increases due to rapid population growth, aging demographics, and increased chronic illness, registered nurses (RNs) play a key role in addressing this healthcare shortage and transforming healthcare delivery across the state.

Texas is dedicated to build the nursing workforce of the future according to The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, however the state's nursing workforce is struggling to keep pace with demand. Between 2019 and 2022, the RN vacancy rate nearly tripled [https://www.tha.org/issues/workforce/] from 6% to 17.6%. This trend underscores the urgent need for strategic workforce development to ensure hospitals can continue delivering safe, high-quality care.

Amid this challenge, registered nurses have the added opportunity to work in expanded roles. In Texas, RN employment is projected to grow [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm] by more than 17% between 2022 and 2032, with over 16,000 new job openings annually. This growth far outpaces the national average and reflects the increasing reliance on RNs to deliver essential care, support chronic disease management, and serve rural and underserved communities.

The urgency and scale of the nursing workforce shortage in Texas is reinforced by a spokesperson from the Texas Nurses Association who notes, "Leading into the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas was estimated to face a deficit of 27,786 registered nurses. Two years into the pandemic, the shortage grew to 44,678. That deficit is projected to reach 56,370 by 2036, unless the state makes drastic investments in nursing education and smart policy changes that will improve nursing retention efforts."

The Texas Department of State Health Services developed detailed supply and demand projections [https://www.dshs.texas.gov/center-health-statistics/texas-center-nursing-workforce-studies/nursing-supply-demand-projections] to guide workforce planning through 2036. These models account for demographic shifts, healthcare utilization patterns, and economic factors that influence both the supply of nurses and the demand for services. The data underscores the urgency of expanding educational pathways and retaining experienced nurses to stabilize the workforce.

One such pathway is Baylor University's Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN [https://onlinenursing.baylor.edu/programs/accelerated-bsn-online]) program, which offers Texas residents with a non-nursing bachelor's degree the opportunity to earn a BSN in just one year. The program combines online coursework with in-person clinical training and boasts a 96% NCLEX pass rate. Baylor's Clinical Placement Services help students secure hands-on experience in their local communities, preparing them to enter the workforce quickly and confidently.

As Texas continues to invest in healthcare workforce development, registered nurses are poised to lead the charge. The first step to become an RN is through a program such as the online ABSN program offered by Baylor University. Registered nurses' clinical expertise, adaptability, and patient-centered approach make them indispensable in a system navigating a period of change. With strategic support and innovative education models, Texas can build a resilient nursing workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Media Contact
Company Name: Baylor University
Contact Person: Whitney Cortner
Email: Send Email [http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=texas-nurses-step-up-as-state-faces-critical-nursing-shortage]
Address:333 North Washington Avenue
City: Dallas
State: TX 75246-1754
Country: United States
Website: https://onlinenursing.baylor.edu/

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