The rapid increase in the geriatric population as the “Baby Boomers” approach retirement age will add to this nursing shortage immensely as the nurses in that generation retire as well (Buerhaus, 2001). Additionally, there has been a drop in college nursing programs over the past several years. It is thought, in previous decades, women became nurses simply because of the limited arena in which women could work, and the increasing need for a second family income for financial stability. As time passed, and more choices of career opportunities opened up for women, the number of women who chose nursing as a profession dropped by thirty five percent (Buerhaus, 2001).

In an attempt to address the shortage of trained qualified nurses, many institutions have start

Miller, Kimberly, School nurses face uncertain future, Palm Beach Post, May 12, 2002, 1B+.

Helm, Ann, Liability, UAP’s and You (unlicensed assistive personnel), Nursing Magazine,

ed utilizing the services of unlicensed assistive personnel. These individuals have no formalized medical training, yet they perform many of the skilled procedures, in a variety of medical institutions and settings, that were previously performed only by a registered nurse (Helm, 1998). Not only are these unlicensed assistive personnel found in the hospitals and physician’s office where they can receive limited direct supervision, they are also being utilized in other areas where they receive absolutely no direct supervision from registered nurses.

In other areas that have attempted to solve the nursing shortage with unlicensed personnel performing the functions of a licensed nurse, there have been many problems leading them to second guess that decision. In several cases, charges of neglect, abuse or malpractice can be directly related to the training and skill level required to competently perform the procedures (Helm, 1998). In some of those cases, the loss of

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