Catherwood LibraryILR School

An analysis on the labor market in the United States healthcare industry conducted by Mercer, a global consulting firm, found that there will likely be a significant shortage of nurse practitioners around the country in the coming years. Data shows that there will be a shortage of ten thousand nurse practitioners by 2028, and the shortage is expected to negatively impact inpatient care, and widen the inequities that exist in the US healthcare system. The worker shortage is due to high levels of burnout and resignation, as well as an aging overall population and an increase in demand for medical services. The analysis also found that the shortage of nurse practitioners will affect rural areas more than major cities, and rural areas also struggle with various issues that affect healthcare access, and many individuals are either uninsured or on Medicaid.