Nursing supply and demand: reviewing the evidence

Abstract

This paper reviews research on the supply of, and demand for nurse. It examines the utility of various data indicators of nursing shortages and highlights potential shortcomings in their application. The paper also assesses the links between nurses' pay and nurses' labour market behaviour, reviewing the comparatively few papers that have taken a UK perspective on this issue. The current mismatch between nurses' supply and demand in the UK is also examined, with the clear indication that there is potential for an increase in mismatch as demand increases, while future supply appears problematic.