Any discussion on reform in the nursing must consider the supply and the demand for nurses. Nursing shortage refers to the inadequate number of nurses to care for patients at some professionally determined level. The shortage of nurses is well documented in nursing literature. The expanded range of setting in which nurse practice, the increasing acuity of client and the complexity of care required, the difficulty in attracting and retaining nurses, high technology, issues associated with professional nursing practice such as autonomy, job dissatisfaction, have been attributed to this staff shortage. These factors have created the need for more RNs. The use of retired nurses in the Midwives Service Scheme in Nigeria is a welcome idea; this will go a long way in reducing maternal and infant mortality.