Abstract
▶ In surveys conducted in 2002 and 2004, nurse perceptions of the workforce shortage were assessed with respect to its current state, effects on practice, directional trends, and causes and solutions. ▶ In 2004, nurses perceived less of a gap between supply and demand than respondents in 2002. ▶ Fewer nurses in 2004 (41%) perceived salary and benefits as main causes of the shortage than in 2002 (58%). ▶ In 2004, nurses were asked about recruitment and retention efforts in terms of their perceived potential benefit and perceived use. ▶ While most recruitment and retention strategies were perceived as valuable by at least half of the nurses surveyed, only one retention strategy was observed by more than half of the nurses surveyed: mentoring programs for new grads.