Condition: critical. (Health Care Industry).

"Hospitals competing for registered nurses amid a nationwide shortage are offering inducements ranging from signing bonuses--some as high as $15,000 on top of $60,000 starting salaries--to free child care and a free continuing education. One advertisement in a nursing trade publication offered a new car for any nurse who agreed to work for at least two years.

Hospitals are desperate to recruit and retain nurses. In fact, some hospitals have begun offering $1,000 to $3,000 `retention bonuses.'

National surveys indicate hospitals are averaging 11% to 14% vacancy rates in nursing positions, about 120,000 vacancies nationwide.

Estimates vary on the extent of the shortage. The federal …