Localization of a demand for nursing model at the grassroots level.

A major obstacle to the development of a usable demand model for nursing is the standardization of the definition for "demand." The lack of standardization of economic terms which are utilized in the state demand models is contributing to the failure of the long-range forecasting process for nursing nationwide. Any state that chooses to utilize U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration data has selected a model which is invalid due to failure to include all members of the nursing population since this definition excludes LPNs completely. Likewise, state nursing demand models in California, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia have similar disadvantages. Only at a localized county-by-county grassroots level can a nursing demand model be translated into an equation which would actually calculate demand for nursing.