Abstract
The challenging Florida anesthesia workforce has 3 different types of anesthesia providers competing in the same market and a growing population ranked number 2 in the United States. This study attempted to forecast changes in supply and demand of nurse anesthetists in Florida between 2014 and 2018 by surveying hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers; 17% (87/511) responded. Current anesthesia workforce and projected needs in 1, 2, and 5 years were included in the survey. Projected numbers of nurse anesthetist graduates from 2014 to 2018 were obtained from nurse anesthesia programs and schools in Florida. Respondents projected 73 new full-time openings through 2018, representing an 18% growth rate. Florida nurse anesthesia schools projected graduating 1,394 new Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) through 2018. This study estimated that 85% of new graduates will find full-time positions. A 22% growth in full-time positions would be required to absorb all new graduates expected to enter the Florida workforce. A projected surplus of 15% (114 positions) is in line with recent projected simulated models. The predicted CRNA surplus depends on current staffing models. Nonetheless, 633 new full-time positions would represent an increase in the proportion of fulltime CRNAs in the Florida workforce.