Wisconsin is going to need thousands of new nurses. The looming, retirement driven nursing shortage is no secret, but the latest analysis by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development gives a clear picture of how many nursing positions will need to be filled. In fact, DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman expects the state will have nearly 22,000 job openings for registered nurses in the next eight years. And recognizing that need means more investment in the UW and Wisconsin Technical College systems. Gassman says it's also important to retain nurses in the field, by making sure they're not overworked and helping them avoid on the job injuries.
