PHILADELPHIA - At a time when the federal government is considering budget cuts to physician and nurse training, hospital chief executive officers are expressing concern over shortages of physicians and nurses, a new survey indicates.

More than three-fourths of the 400 hospital CEOs who responded to the survey identified nursing shortages as a serious problem that must be addressed soon, Among respondents, 96 percent agreed that the U.S. has too few nurses.

Asked if the training capacity for nurses should be increased, 99.5 percent favored expanding the output of nurses. Less than one percent of responding hospital CEOs said that there is no nurse shortage.

The survey was conducted on behalf of the Council on Physician and Nurse Supply by AMN Healthcare, the nation's largest healthcare staffing company. Located at the University of Pennsylvania, the Council is composed of health care leaders dedicated to bringing physician and nurse supply in line with the nation's needs.

Eighty-nine percent of hospital CEOs surveyed are currently recruiting nurses. The majority of those recruiting nurses prefer to hire nurses with four-year baccalaureate degrees. According to 86 percent of responding CEOs, recruiting nurses is difficult and/or challenging.

The Council has voiced concern that the proposed 2008 federal budget calls for significant cuts in funds for training nurses.  Given the continued shortage of nurses, the Council recommends that Congress consider ways to increase rather than diminish nurse supply.

"This is a time when more national resources should be devoted to training U.S. doctors and nurses," notes Richard "Buz" Cooper, M.D., co-chair of the Council. "To reduce funding for physician and nurse training at this critical time would be a profound mistake."