In recent years, the shortage of nurses, particularly registered nurses, has been one of the thorniest and most visibile problems in the American health care system.
While there's been lots of talk, and some progress, obstacles remain. Locally on Long Island, the efforts of South Nassau Communities Hospital are the latest efforts to fix the situation--as well as the clearest sign that problems continue. Developing new sources of nurses, both in the United States and abroad, are seen as key solutions, but not ones likely to happen overnight.
--Noel Rubinton