TN Center for Healthcare Workforce Development

A Nursing Shortage Is A Health Crisis.

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Nursing Shortage


There is a nursing shortage in Tennessee's hospitals and it's projected to get worse. It's a slow motion crisis that is just now reaching the critical stage. To make matters worse, the smartest people in the profession have determined that we cannot train enough nurses to meet the demand.


TCWD's parent organization, the Tennessee Hospital Association, is supporting nurses through the THA Nurse Residency Program. Learn more here.

Educational Obstacle

Low numbers of faculty


Existing faculty approaching retirement


Inadequate faculty compensation compared to clinical nurses



No clear educational path to academia from nursing schools

Training Obstacles

Lack of clinical instruction sites


Insufficient simulation facilities

Workplace Obstacle

Poor work-life balance


Generational differences



Compassion fatigue

We Want To Help


The issues facing the profession are broad and cross-jurisdictional. No policy, government department, organization or program can tackle these problems alone. It will take the entire community.


We take a collaborative approach. Applying the principals of community impact, we work with CNOs, deans, directors, employers, students and professionals to address these challenges and remove the barriers that limit growth.


Check in with us and see how we are doing — or click to join us. We want to hear your voice, too.

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