MADISON — Wisconsin registered nurses currently face more demand than they can meet, and economic forecasts predict that this gap, caused by demographics trends decades in the making, will call for a range of solutions to meet patients’ needs, according to a report released by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

The Wisconsin Registered Nurse Supply and Demand Forecast Results report began collecting data in 2010 through surveys conducted by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and models based on this data predict future needs. The two models in the 2024 report deemed most reliable by the study’s authors predict a deficit of between 12,000 and 19,000 nurses by 2040 based on the demographic pressures facing the workforce.

“Meeting workforce challenges in healthcare is a driving force behind many DWD initiatives, including new nursing apprenticeships, and it is a primary focus of the Governor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce,” Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “We are working to expand careers in nursing, make training more affordable and bring healthcare career opportunities to more people.”

DWD economists evaluated several factors in the report, including high vacancy rates of registered nurses in Wisconsin hospitals and low unemployment rates for nurses. The data showed that there are not enough registered nurses in Wisconsin to meet current demand, and that this shortage is predicted to grow if not addressed.

The report acknowledged many possible approaches to these healthcare workforce challenges, including placing extra emphasis on retaining existing nurses, advancing measures that make it possible for nurses to care for more patients, and supporting public health to reduce the number of patients.

The Governor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce brought state government leaders together with business, community, and education leaders in the healthcare industry. Through this collaborative effort, the task force has developed sustainable solutions to retaining, attracting, and training skilled workers to address Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce shortages.

The report authors are economist Tom Walsh and senior research analyst Maria del Pilar Casal, both staff members of DWD’s Bureau of Workforce Information and Technical Support. The 2022-2040 Registered Nurse Supply and Demand Forecast Results report is available online.