The nursing workforce in Canada and Australia: two sides of the same coin.

This paper compares characteristics of the nursing workforce in Canada and Australia and provides insights into reasons why the shortage of nurses is more critical today than ever before. Workplace issues are discussed in a global context. Factors that affect retention and recruitment are described. Factors that make the current shortage more serious and different than at other times are also presented. Despite the shortage of registered nurses, their replacement with unskilled workers jeopardizes the quality of care.