Supply and Demand for Professional Nurses In the early 1950s, becoming a nurse was considered more voluntary than professional. Nurses made beds, smiled at patients and checked temperatures. Today this is no longer the case, they play an important role in our healthcare and we must no longer take them for granted. Registered nurses are the largest group of healthcare professionals in the United States, and there is a massive shortage nationwide, especially in Texas. In 2006 it was reported that Texas had over 146,000 registered nurses; that's only about 609 nurses per 100,000 residents, compared to the national statistic of 782 per 100,000. (Ogle, 2006). In an effort to examine the causes of the shortages in Texas, we will examine the reason for the supply and demand shortage, as well as discuss how a nurse's pay is determined and how their pay is structured. Demand Since the 1990s, there has been a growth in demand for registered nurses in Texas. The demand for registered nurses in Texas is expected to increase by 86% between 2005 and 2020, over this period the supply of nurses is only expected to increase by 53%, causing a shortage. (Facts on the Supply/Demand of Registered Nurses, 2006). One of the causes is the continuous increase in population. Because Texas borders Mexico, there is an influx of illegal immigrants every year. Another reason for the increase in demand is increased life expectancy. Improvements in technology and medicine have made it possible for us to live longer lives than in the past 54 years, “from 68.2 years in 1950 to 77.8 years in 2004.” (Hodges, 2007). Along with the abundance of older generations comes the health problems they acquire, such as heart… middle of paper… providers know how important it is to pay attention to our need for nurses; after all, how many of them will need it in the near future? References Hodges, M. (2007, March). GENERATIONAL CELEBRATION REPORT. Retrieved January 20, 2007, from the Grandfather Economic Report series: http://mwhodges.home.att.net/celebration.htmOgle, L. (2006, November 9). State of Texas receives $6 million to create nursing program. Retrieved January 22, 2008, from St. David's Community Health Foundation: http://www.sdchf.org/downloads/Grants_NursingSchool.pdfProjected Supply, Demand, and Shortages. (2002, July). Retrieved January 21, 2008, from FCI Global USA, Inc: http://www.fciglobalusa.com/doc_news1_en.php#chart9Registered Nurse Supply/Demand Facts. (2006). Retrieved January 22, 2008, from Texas Nurses Association.