The focus of this study was to determine if the practice of cardiac surgery is affected by the shortage of critical care nurses. We conducted a survey encompassing 25 institutions in the state of New York, representing 10,827 patients. In addition to determining the statewide effect of the nursing shortage, the questionnaire was designed to yield answers to the coping mechanisms of individual institutions.In July 1988, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (1) published a summary analysis of the supply and requirements for critical care nurses in order to practice critical care. The following data from that report serve as introduction and illustration of the nationwide problem: a) In 1988, the combined part-time and full-time percentage of vacancies in critical care nursing was 13.8% (rates >10% represent a severe nursing shortage) (2). b) In 1986, critical care beds represented 10.8% of inpatient beds, an increase from the 7.4% reported in 1979. c) The number of critical care beds in the United States increased by >20,000 from 1979 to 1986. d) Critical care units report an average bed increase of nearly 30%. e) The occupancy rate in critical care units averaged 84%, which was greater than the average for total hospital occupancy, which was 70%.