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Learning Objective #1: comprehend the role of data collection and analysis in establishing planning objectives.

Learning Objective #2: conceptualize his/her own approach to developing useful measurements and instruments.

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“The crisis in nursing is the result of a complex interaction of recruitment and retention of qualified staff, retirements and new entrants on the supply side, and increased demand for health care…” (Newman/Maylor, 2002). In 2005/2006, the Nursing Institute of West Central Ohio sponsored five surveys and a supply and demand model to develop a baseline of information about West Central Ohio’s healthcare workforce challenges. Data from these surveys informed the strategic direction of the Nursing Institute and provided data to adapt the national HRSA RN supply and demand models to a local context. Data collection included: The hospital workplace: (1) Acute care RNs, (2) Chief Nursing Officers; Community health: (3) Community and public health RNs, and extended care RNs Academic settings, (4) Deans/Chairs of nursing colleges/departments, (5) Nurse faculty; The regional healthcare environment: (6) Demographic forecasts, economic data, nurse workforce data, and the healthcare environment (the uninsured, Medicaid data, and HMO enrollment); RN enrollment, graduation, educational attainment. Findings show that West Central Ohio, like most of the Midwest, has particular challenges to retaining and attracting a solid RN workforce. Challenges include a shortfall of RNs to meet demand, a smaller percentage of RNs in acute care settings compared to the U.S. (55% v. 59%); slow workforce growth rates impacting the ability to attract and grow an RN labor force; an older workforce of RNs, and those educating them, than the national average; and a transitioning healthcare leadership with 75% of Deans and 20% of Chief Nursing Officers exiting or moving from their positions. Having defensible data articulates the crisis, brings a collaborative to the table, and informs a priority set of strategic responses. While the baseline data is informing program development, the use of valid and reliable tools and tested theories has laid the foundation for measuring program outcomes.