ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ A new survey shows Florida is expected to have 15,000 vacancies for registered nurses during 2012.
The state’s Florida Center for Nursing at the University of Central Florida issued a report on the survey Wednesday.
An aging population and new requirements tied to the national health care overhaul are contributing to the shortage.
The estimate is based on a survey conducted last year among employers in six nurse-intensive industries.
While some recent nursing graduates have been unable to find work in isolated pockets, the statewide demand far exceeds the supply of nurses.
The center was created to collect and analyze data on nurse supply, demand and education in Florida.
It is projecting the shortage will grow to more than 56,000 by 2025.
