Projections from the Texas Department of State Health Services anticipate a shortage of nearly 60,000 nurses in Texas by decade’s end.

Cindy Zolnierek, CEO of the Texas Nurses Association, says the nursing shortage has been going on for some time. But the problem has escalated as baby boomers have retired from nursing. And the baby-boom generation as a whole is aging, which increases the need for health care.

Zolnierek says those in a nursing career have many options, but the system doesn’t have the capacity to train them all.

“Virtually every community in Texas has opportunities for individuals to pursue nursing education,” Zolnierek says.

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– How increased funds from the Texas Legislature have helped increase training capacity for nursing

– What could be done to increase training opportunities

– How Texas’ nursing shortage is different than shortages in other states

Written by Shelly Brisbin.