The Challenge

There is a crisis looming in health care: a critical shortage of skilled hospital staff. Washington needs thousands of new physicians, nurses, technicians, and assistants to meet resident's health care needs. For the past six years, the health care industry has led the state in the number of job openings. If this shortage is not addressed, there simply may not be any one who can care for us.

Our population is aging rapidly and demand for health care is exploding.  The state's health care industry needs to grow by 20 percent this next decade to meet demand for  more than 40,000 new workers over the next five years. 

Washington's current health care work force is also aging. The average age of a nurse in Washington state is 48.  Nearly one-quarter of our doctors are over 60. 

With time, the problem only grows. As demand for workers goes up, our supply is dwindling. The shortage is a major driver behind rising health care costs, threatens quality, and reduces accessibility.  Despite many attempts at the local, state, and national level, the trends are not improving. 

But there is hope. The Health Work Force Institute is bringing together partners and resources in new ways to break down old barriers. Join us to explore the possibilities!

By 2020 the shortage of Registered Nurses alone is expected to grow to 24,000.


- Washington State Registered Nurse Supply and Demand
Projections: 2006-2025