by Jonathan Eberle | May 30, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A new study analyzing nurse-to-population ratios across the United States has revealed that Arizona is facing one of the country’s most severe nursing shortages, ranking 10th overall.
According to data compiled by Injured In Florida, a Florida-based personal injury law firm, Arizona has just 1,686 nurses per 100,000 residents—well below the national average of 2,057. The research examined the total number of registered nurses and nurse practitioners in each state using figures from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and compared them to U.S. Census population estimates.
Arizona is home to 127,834 nurses in total, consisting of 116,708 registered nurses and 11,126 nurse practitioners. Despite a growing population and a robust healthcare system, the state’s ratio of nurses per capita places it firmly in the top ten states with the worst shortages.
Arizona joins several of its western and southern peers in the top ten, a trend the study’s authors say highlights regional disparities in healthcare staffing. Utah ranked as the state with the most severe shortage, with only 1,340 nurses per 100,000 people. Washington (1,462), Georgia (1,533), and Wyoming (1,543) followed closely behind.
“The top ten ranking is evenly split between states in the West and states in the South, suggesting a pattern of nurse shortages in these areas,” a spokesperson from Injured In Florida said in a statement. “Meanwhile, the states with the most nurses are primarily located in the Northeast and Midwest, highlighting a clear difference in availability between regions.”
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Hawaii boasts the most robust nursing workforce, with 2,967 nurses per 100,000 residents. New York and Alaska follow closely, at 2,918 and 2,801 respectively.
The nurse shortage in Arizona raises concerns for patients and healthcare providers alike. Experts warn that lower nurse-to-patient ratios can result in longer wait times, increased stress and burnout among current staff, and potential declines in patient care quality.
However, the data could present an opportunity for job seekers in the healthcare field. “States with the worst nurse shortages will likely have plenty of job opportunities for nurses or aspiring nurses,” the spokesperson added. “If you are a nurse looking to relocate for work, these states might be a good starting point.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Terri Jo Neff | Oct 24, 2021 | News
By Terri Jo Neff |
There has been much media coverage in recent months about Arizona’s nursing shortage. This summer, Phoenix-based Banner Health confirmed it was down nearly 1,400 nursing professionals at its 30 hospitals and associated medical offices across the country.
But even the prestigious Mayo Clinic—recognized as the top hospital in the United States for 2020-2021 by U.S. News & World Report—has learned that staffing issues extend far beyond the nursing ranks and into nearly every department.
As of Sunday, more than 375 jobs were advertised on the Mayo Clinic’s website. And those are only the company’s open positions in Arizona.
The reality of employment challenges facing Arizona’s medical community is forcing changes in how to attract medical professionals who may be looking to change jobs. And one hospital in Cochise County has found a creative way to garner the attention of prospective employees.
Canyon Vista Medica Center in Sierra Vista opened in 2015 as Cochise County’s only Level 3 trauma medical facility. Last week it released a recruitment video touting the wonderful work environment, although much of the video is spent showcasing Sierra Vista and Cochise County.
The video available on Facebook and LinkedIn draws attention to “the wonderful sceneries and opportunities” the region has to offer, according to CVMC spokeswoman Alexis Ramanjulu.
“Like all industries we have to be creative in how we attract new employees,” Ramanjulu explained to AZ Free News. “We hope by showcasing the place our business and healthcare heroes call home will attract medical professionals to our hospital and our part of the country.”
Such efforts are necessary despite the fact Gov. Doug Ducey announced $25 million to bolster hospital frontline staffing in November 2020, followed a few weeks later by another $60 million to address nursing shortages. The December funding pledge was matched by Ducey last month, but it could take weeks, if not months, to get that money into the hands of hospital administrators.
In the meantime, some smaller healthcare providers and medical offices have begun targeting workers at those larger companies in Arizona that are threatening to suspend or even fire medical professional for noncompliance of stringent COVID-19 vaccination mandates.
Yet hiring efforts across the state are not coming close to addressing the widespread staffing shortage. Part of the problem, according to one hospital administrator, is that such outreach efforts are often conducted by trained recruiters, which are also in short supply in Arizona.
Among those recently advertising for experienced recruiters in Arizona, are St. Luke’s Hospital (Tempe), Northwest Healthcare (Tucson), and Banner Health, which is Arizona’s largest employer.
Other companies with recruiter openings are Yavapai Regional Medical Center (Prescott), Envita Medical Center (Scottsdale), Mountain Vista Medical Center (Mesa), Northern Arizona Healthcare Corp. (Flagstaff), SpringBoard Healthcare (Phoenix), Havasu Regional Medical Center (Sacate), Tenet Healthcare (Phoenix), LifePoint Health (Lake Havasu City), Steward Health Care (Arizona City), and IASIS Healthcare (Mesa).
WATCH THE CVMC RECRUITING VIDEO:
