With the upcoming election and recent market turbulence, people are talking a lot about the economy. Many of us are holding onto our pocketbooks and jobs, steadying ourselves for an uncertain ride. American nurses’ perspectives may differ slightly from the fears of the general population. A recent study by Beth Ulrich and colleagues found that, at a time when the economy is the most pressing issue for most Americans, more nurses are concerned about the “state of health care” than the economy, which comes in second. I don’t find this surprising. As the largest group of health care professionals, nurses form the backbone of health care. We witness its realities from the front line every day.

With the ongoing nursing shortage, some nurses may find comfort in believing that nursing positions will always be available. I wonder if nurses are, however, more hesitant to change jobs in the near future. No matter how many positions we see advertised, during difficult times it can be hard to contemplate leaving a secure position for a possibly more tenuous job. Most of the nurses I know are staying put for now, tightening their belts a bit, and hoping to ride out the economic turbulence of our times. Some of my friends – nurses and non-nurses alike – admit they are too nervous to look at the current state of their retirement accounts.

The Ulrich study begs two important questions. First, with an uncertain economy and rising unemployment in other sectors, nursing may be seen as an attractive alternative career. But, given our current shortage of nurse educators, who will educate these nurse hopefuls?  Second, laudable efforts to provide affordable health care to more citizens must somehow address the existing nursing shortage. How can we assure a sufficient supply of nurses to meet the public’s growing health care demand? Where will these additional nurses come from?

Are you concerned about the current economy? Please share your ideas and concerns. Will the supply of licensed nurses ever catch up with the growing demand for our services?