Although emergency rooms may have the same number of patients as they did a decade ago, the population of nurses is lacking.

Information released by The American Hospital Association said 75 percent of hospital employee vacancies were for nurses. Nationwide there are 126,000 vacancies for nurses.

Robert Rosseter, director of Public Affairs for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing said there are many reasons nurses are leaving their professions and many reasons young people are not choosing nursing as a career.

“Nurses often feel undervalued in the work place,” Rosseter said. “Working conditions are poor, salary levels are not competitive, and there is not much opportunity for advancement.”

Rosseter said another reason nursing is losing its popularity is because of the new job options for women.

“It has historically been a female profession,” he said. “Now with all the chances for women now in other fields, it is drawing fewer people.”

Renée Canady, director of student affairs and instructor of the College of Nursing said there is a decreased number of applications to get into the school.

“I think that what we’ve got to begin doing is helping people understand what nursing is and get that message out,” she said.

Maresa Pardee, a nursing sophomore said she has always been interested in the profession and said the challenges will not stop her.

“I think it will be worth it in the end,” she said. “I’m really interested in it.”

Jo Fredericks, chief human resources officer for Ingham Regional Medical Center said although she hasn’t witnessed a decrease in nurses where she works, she realizes it is a national trend.

“Fewer young nurses are entering the population,” she said.

Fredericks said in 1980, 52.9 percent of registered nurses were under age 40 and in 2000, only 31.7 percent were under 40.

Marilyn Rothert, dean of the College of Nursing said with the lack of proper staffing in nationwide hospitals, nurses feel they cannot do their jobs as well.