A nursing shortage in Iowa is quickly turning into a crisis as colleges struggle to graduate enough nurses to replace an aging work force, medical officials said.

The industry is blaming the shortage on several issues, including a lack of faculty at nursing programs and relatively low wages.

The issue has become a focus for U.S. Rep. Tom Latham of Iowa, who plans to hold a meeting with nursing groups next month in Fort Dodge to discuss the problem. Latham, a Republican, said he would hold other meetings across Iowa in the coming months.

The University of Iowa, the state’s largest four-year nursing program, turns away about 63 percent of its applicants annually. Dr. Rita Frantz, the school’s dean, said she can’t boost enrollment until she finds qualified teachers to fill about 10 positions, most of which have been vacant for several years. Read more