It's a Fact

  • In 2007, Arizona hospitals spent more than $32 million to advance healthcare education and graduate more healthcare professionals.
  • In a 2007 survey, Arizona's hospital CEOs mentioned workforce shortages more than any other issue as one of the greatest challenges their organizations face.
  • According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Arizona ranks 45th in the nation for its ratio of employed registered nurses (RNs) per 100,000 population.
  • Baby boomers will turn 65 between 2011 and 2029. As our population ages, their healthcare needs will become more complex.
  • According to a 2006 AzHHA survey, 40 of the state's hospitals spent more than $25 million to advance healthcare education and graduate more healthcare professionals. This figure does not reflect the efforts of all Arizona hospitals.
HEALTHWORKS

HealthWorks™, Arizona's Healthcare Workforce Initiative

Arizona faces chronic shortages of nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists and other medical professionals. These shortages are fueled by Arizona's ranking as the fastest growing state in the nation. HealthWorks was established in 2007 under the direction of the AzHHA Board and the Healthcare Institute (HCI) as a focused initiative designed to address Arizona's healthcare workforce needs. HealthWorks collaborates with other organizations to bring AzHHA members:

  • best and most promising workforce practices, both from the healthcare industry and other industries that have designed innovative strategies to address workforce shortages;
  • educational forums on topics such as work redesign models, characteristics of a preferred employer, and new and emerging trends in recruitment and retention from across the nation; and
  • relevant workforce data needed to make informed decisions.

AzHHA's goal is to provide members with fresh ideas and specific steps for applying these ideas to meet their own workforce needs. If you would like to share innovative practices from your organization, or have questions regarding this initiative, please contact Barb Averyt at baveryt@azhha.org or 602-445-4300, ext. 4321.

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HealthWorks Report on Arizona Nursing Workforce

The first Healthworks report on Arizona’s nursing workforce was completed in December 2007.  This data is current, relevant and specific to Arizona's nurses. The results indicate that approximately one third of the RNs with active licenses are over the age of 55.The number of RNs employed in nursing that will be needed in Arizona by 2017 is approximately 49,000. 

Want to learn more about AzHHA's healthcare workforce initiative, including workforce related news, promising practices, educational offerings, practical tools and more? Click here to read the latest version of HealthWorks. Subscribe

Look for additional workforce issues in the following sections of the AzHHA Web site:

AzHHA members impact the future of healthcare in Arizona by serving on committees, councils, task forces and work groups that guide the Association and help shape its position on key issues. Click on the link below to see a complete listing of these groups.

Want to learn what's happening at AzHHA and in the broader healthcare community? Check the AzHHA Calendar of Events for updates on AzHHA meetings, educational programs, hospital events and important dates on the legislative calendar.

Registry Program

AzHHA's Service Corporation's Registry Program provides both local per diem and traveling health professionals to meet defined quality and patient care standards.

Arizona Healthcare Workforce Data Center

The Data Center reports on Arizona's workforce trends for nurses, physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, EMT/paramedics, allied health professionals, and other healthcare professionals.

Supply data are collected from health professional licensing agencies and include administrative data, new licensee survey data and practicing professional survey data. Demand data are gathered from Arizona's healthcare organizations. The results are relevant, credible, reliable, timely information and reports that drive Arizona's healthcare organizations' workforce decisions.