May 02, 2005: Australia: Nurse shortage eases:"MORE nurses and midwives are returning to the state's public health system, figures show. State Government data shows in the past three years, the vacancy rate for nurses and midwives in the public system has halved. In January, there was a shortage of 301.3 full-time equivalent nurses and midwives in public hospitals. In July 2002, there was a shortage of 611.26. Latest figures from the South Australian Nurses Board also show an increase in the number of enrolled and registered nurses in SA. The figures show there are 25,783 enrolled and registered nurses, compared to 23,638 in June 2002."
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15147929-1246,00.html
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You have to wonder if these figures they're quoting would stand up to scrutiny by the colleges of nursing and nursing unions. Would like to see what numbers the nursing organizations would come up with.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinga2z.com