Nursing shortage likely to worsen

WASHINGTON The shortage of nurses is expected to worsen throughthe end of the century, the government told Congress Tuesday.

A report by Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivansaid that the number of nurses is expected to increase for the next15 years, but the increase will not be sufficient to alleviate theshortage.

Public health experts say the nursing shortage has been causedin part by population growth. He also said hospital patients tend tobe more seriously ill than in the past and need more intensive care.