It's a Fact

  • The Arizona State Board of Nursing reports that Arizona had nearly 69,000 licensed registered nurses (RNs) in 2009.
  • Arizona will need an additional 20,000 RNs to keep pace with its population growth and close the gap between Arizona’s current average ratio of 681 RNs per 100,000 residents and the U.S. average ratio of 825 RNs per 100,000 residents.
  • According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Arizona ranks 45th in the nation for its ratio of employed RNs per 100,000 population.
  • In 2007, Arizona hospitals spent more than $32 million to advance healthcare education and graduate more healthcare professionals from Arizona colleges and universities..
  • According to Part II of the Arizona Physician Workforce Study, the number of practicing physicians—MDs and DOs—in Arizona increased from 12,024 in 2004 to 13,215 in 2005. But while the number of practicing physicians in Arizona increased 10 percent from 2004 to 2005, the physicians per 100,000 population ratio increased by only 6 percent—from 207 in 2004 to 219 in 2005—and remains below the national average of 293/100,000.
HEALTHWORKS

HealthWorks™, Arizona's Healthcare Workforce Initiative

Arizona faces chronic shortages of nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists and other medical professionals. These shortages are fueled by Arizona's ranking as the fastest growing state in the nation. HealthWorks was established in 2007 under the direction of the AzHHA Board and the Healthcare Institute (HCI) as a focused initiative designed to address Arizona's healthcare workforce needs. HealthWorks collaborates with other organizations to bring AzHHA members:

  • best and most promising workforce practices, both from the healthcare industry and other industries that have designed innovative strategies to address workforce shortages;
  • educational forums on topics such as work redesign models, characteristics of a preferred employer, and new and emerging trends in recruitment and retention from across the nation; and
  • relevant workforce data needed to make informed decisions.

AzHHA's goal is to provide members with fresh ideas and specific steps for applying these ideas to meet their own workforce needs. If you would like to share innovative practices from your organization, or have questions regarding this initiative, please contact communications@azhha.org or 602-445-4300.

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Joint Statement on National Nurse Staffing Ratio

Arizona’s nurses, nurse leaders and hospital executives work together to deliver high quality, appropriate and cost-efficient care to all patients. Because of this partnership on behalf of patients, the Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA), the Arizona Organization of Nurse Executives (AzONE) and the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) oppose national legislation mandating nurse staffing ratios in hospitals. “Ratios undercut the skills, knowledge and experience of nursing professionals,” said Jennifer Mensik, RN, president, Arizona Nurses Association. “Ratios are inflexible numbers that do not take into account individual patients’ needs and different levels of acuity and complexity among patients.” Registered nurses, in partnership with healthcare teams in hospitals statewide, develop “acuity” plans that are tailored to the individual needs of their patients. Staffing systems that are customized to meet the unique circumstances in each hospital are in the best interest of the patient. Click here for media release.

                      

 

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HealthWorks Report on Arizona Nursing Workforce

The first Healthworks report on Arizona’s nursing workforce was completed in December 2007.  This data is current, relevant and specific to Arizona's nurses. The results indicate that approximately one third of the RNs with active licenses are over the age of 55.The number of RNs employed in nursing that will be needed in Arizona by 2017 is approximately 49,000. 

Look for additional workforce issues in the following sections of the AzHHA website:

AzHHA members impact the future of healthcare in Arizona by serving on committees, councils, task forces and work groups that guide the Association and help shape its position on key issues. Click on the link below to see a complete listing of these groups.

Want to learn what's happening at AzHHA and in the broader healthcare community? Check the AzHHA Calendar of Events for updates on AzHHA meetings, educational programs, hospital events and important dates on the legislative calendar.

Registry Program

AzHHA's Service Corporation's Registry Program provides both local per diem and traveling health professionals to meet defined quality and patient care standards.