In November 2006 the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies published the Texas Hospital Nurse Staffing Survey: 2006. Particularly troubling findings are a statewide RN turnover rate of 18.2%, up from 15.6% in the 2004 survey, and a statewide vacancy rate of 10.2%, up from 8.6% in 2004. "Based on national benchmarks, rates this high are considered critical," the report states.
A closer look at turnover. Of the 16 types of RN positions included in the staffing survey, six exceeded the overall turnover rate of 18.2%: in-house staffing pool, emergency, psychiatric-mental health, medical-surgical, home health, and step-down and telemetry. The "Rural-Border Region" (roughly the south-southwestern part of Texas) had the highest RN turnover rate, at 32.4%; the "Metro-Non-Border Region" had the lowest, at 17.2%.
A closer look at vacancies. Vacancy rates for in-house staffing pool, step-down and telemetry, rehabilitation, medical-surgical, adult intensive care-critical care, psychiatric-mental health, and emergency positions were all higher than the overall state RN vacancy rate of 10.2%. And the staffing survey said employers reported positions on the following shifts to be the most difficult to fill: the Saturday-to-Sunday, 7 pm to 7 am shift; the Monday through Friday 7 pm to 7 am shifts; and the Saturday-to-Sunday 11 pm to 7 am shift.
Not surprisingly, Texas hospitals reported that the shortage of RNs resulted in overcrowding in EDs, diminished physician satisfaction, reduced numbers of beds, increases in patient complaints, and lower patient satisfaction.
A look at advanced practice nurses (APNs). Turnover rates in Texas hospitals were 10%, with the "Rural-Border Region" at 77.8%. The APN vacancy rate was 9.5%, and again the "Rural-Border Region" had the highest, at 55.6%. Employers rated the shortage "severe," meaning positions were not filled in more than 60 days, most often for clinical nurse specialists, followed by certified nurse midwives, and then certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Your Guide to Job Opportunities in Texas
Children's Medical Center Dallas, 1935 Motor St. Dallas, TX 75235 Contact: Human Resources (888) 848-2990 Web site: http://www.childrens.com
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital, 333 N. Santa Rosa St. San Antonio, TX 78207 Contact: Leslie Arnold, Director of Human Resources (210) 704-2067 or (800) 880-NURS (6877) Fax: (210) 704-2225 Web site: http://www.heavenlycareers.com
Harris County Hospital District, 2525 Holly Hall, Ste. 100 Houston, TX 77054 Contact: Human Resources/Employment & Recruitment Division (713) 566-6408 or (800) 996-4243 (HCHD) Web site: http://www.hchdonline.com
Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX 77074 Contact: Human Resources Jobline: (877) JOB-OPPS (562-6777) Web site: http://www.memorialhermann.org
Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth, 900 Eighth Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76104 Contact: Ann Little (817) 347-1425 Fax: (817) 347-1427 Web site: http://www.plazamedicalcenter.com
Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, 3000 I-35N Denton, TX 76201 Contact: Human Resources Department (940) 898-7063 Fax: (940) 898-7195 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.dentonhospital.com
Seton Family of Hospitals, 1201 West 38th St. Austin, TX 78705 Contact: Nurse Recruitment (512) 324-1776 Web site: http://www.opportunityseton.com
University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555-0512 (409) 747-4717 or (877) 886-2499 Web site: http://www.utmbnursing.com