A Message from the Chair
Regent Diane O'Neill McGivern, PhD, RN, FAAN

Experts predict a nursing shortage so severe it is expected to significantly impact the health and safety of all New Yorkers. By 2005, the demand for registered nurses in New York is projected to exceed supply by over 17,000 nurses. By 2015, that gap is expected to almost double. This shortage will affect New Yorkers when they are most vulnerable; as they are recovering from debilitating illnesses, caring for elderly family members, or sitting at the bedsides of ailing friends and loved ones.

As predictions of an unprecedented nationwide nursing shortage began to materialize, the Board of Regents, charged since 1903 with oversight of the nursing profession, recognized the responsibility to take action. With over 303,000 licensed nurses, New York State has the second largest population of nurses in the nation. After a careful examination of the impending nursing shortage, Chancellor Carl Hayden recognized that we could not address this health care crisis alone. As a result of his leadership and vision, the Board of Regents called for the formation of the Regents Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Nursing.

Twenty-seven leaders in health care, nursing and government convened to craft recommendations designed to strengthen recruitment, retention, education and data collection. The partnerships forged among these leaders are crucial to the sustainability of these action strategies and the future of nursing.

Resolving the nursing shortage will demand cooperation, foresight and thoughtful planning. In many cases, it will require changing the way we think and work. The Regents Blue Ribbon Task Force is pleased to present you with a comprehensive plan of action. Now we call upon others – consumers, health care practitioners, associations, legislators, educators, government leaders – to join us in preserving the integrity of the nursing profession and upholding high standards of public protection.

Your investment in this effort, and the participation of over 300 stakeholders in the health care community who will join us on October 29th at the Forum on the Future of Nursing, will advance this action plan and vitalize the recommendations.