Oklahoma faces a drastic shortage of nurses and other medical workers in coming years if current trends continue.

That's according to a study of the health care industry released this week.

The study by the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development says that by 2012, Oklahoma could have a shortage of more than 3,000 nurses, 600 lab technicians, 400 physical therapists, 300 surgical technologists and almost 200 occupational therapists.

Those in the industry say Oklahoma colleges can't keep up with the rising demand for more nursing graduates because of lack of faculty members and clinical space for students.