Welcome to the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center. One of our top priorities has been to provide quality, affordable healthcare in Illinois. As the 'baby boomer' generation grows older, Illinois and the nation must address the demands this generation will place on the healthcare system at the same time that many experienced nurses will be reaching retirement age.

In 2007, when the Nursing Center was initially established, it was estimated that in Illinois there would be a shortage of more than 21,000 nurses by 2020.  However, current Nursing Center data analysis indicates that there will be more regional shortages of nurses.  In addition, approximately one third of RNs are planning to retire in the next five years. To address these concerns, Illinois Nursing Workforce Center was created. The Center will ensure that we are identifying and providing the resources necessary to recruit and train more highly-skilled nurses in Illinois.

The Illinois Nursing Workforce Center is also a resource for current and future nursing students, nursing educators, and those nurses already practicing in the field to find information on affordable education options and scholarship opportunities, grants for nursing schools, and improvements to working conditions for nurses.

Nurses are on the frontlines of health care and have the most direct and continuing contact with patients. The Illinois Nursing Workforce Center will be a huge step in guaranteeing that we have enough nurses to provide the necessary high-quality health care for patients in Illinois.