Abstract

Background: A shortage of healthcare professionals is a problem many hospitals may face in the era of an expanding aging population. The impact of healthcare provider shortages has proven to be detrimental. A shortage of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) has the potential to impact the healthcare system across the United States. This research study was a continuation of a Nebraska CRNA manpower study originally conducted in 1991 by Sharon K. Loseke. This study represents the seventh Nebraska CRNA manpower study completed.

Methods: A mailed questionnaire was sent to 455 CRNAs with a Nebraska CRNA license who listed Nebraska or Pottawattamie County, Iowa home addresses. The questionnaire addressed demographic information, employment setting, activity rate, and anticipated changes in activity rate (Appendix B). Employers of CRNAs including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and private practices were also surveyed. A total of 51 employers were contacted by email and telephone. The hospital, ASC, and private practice questionnaire contained information on demographics, current anesthesia providers, CRNA recruitment, and projected changes in CRNA needs (Appendix C).

Results: The CRNA questionnaire response rate was 69%, with 313 returned questionnaires. The number of CRNAs planning to retire between 2020 and 2025 was 50, or 17% of respondents. There were 22 CRNAs who plan to relocate within five years, or 7.5% of respondents. The employer response rate was 52.9%, with 27 returned questionnaires. A 7.9% vacancy rate was reported, which more than doubled from the reported 3.6% in 2015. Of the 27 respondents, 55.5% of facilities reported CRNAs as the sole anesthesia providers in their facility. An estimated 19 positions were currently vacant among all facilities, with the potential for 33 more positions by 2025.

Conclusion: The current study reversed the declining trend in the proportion of facilities that utilized CRNAs as their sole anesthesia provider, with an increase in the number of these facilities in 2020. The study also found the highest percentage of CRNAs projected to retire since the study was originally conducted in 1991. An estimated need of between 124 to 202 additional CRNAs is projected by the year 2025. This study finds there is still a shortage of CRNAs in Nebraska.

Author Details

Dyanna E. Swanigan DNAP, CRNA and Katie L. Twomey DNAP, CRNA

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Descriptive/Correlational

Research Approach

Quantitative Research

Keywords:

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Manpower, Nurse Shortage, Supply and Demand

Advisor

Hadenfeldt, Sharon

Degree

Doctoral-Other

Degree Grantor

Bryan College of Health Sciences

Degree Year

2021

Rights Holder

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All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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