From nurses and doctors to pharmacists and physical therapist health care facilities are reporting worker shortages across the country.

The Northland is no exception.

And Health experts say it's going to get worse before it gets better as LeAnn Wallace reports.

When your child's sick you don't want to have to wait to get them in to see the doctor...or when you need a prescription filled you don't want to have to drive 100 miles to get it.

But that's the way the situation is shaping up thanks to a serious shortage of health care professionals.

Its a need that's being driven in large part by aging baby boomers.

"That usually means more chronic illness and we're living longer, so we need from a pharmacy perspective patients are having a better quality of life with medication use so there's more counseling necessary more medications being used..."

It's a situation the University of Minnesota began preparing for five years ago with the expansion of its pharmacy program on the Duluth campus.

"We've increased the number of students who have chosen to work in a non–metro environment since we've opened here in Duluth and we're making strides towards higher percentages."

"There's a lot of job openings, even working in the retail setting that I do there's always a shortage, pharmacists are always working overtime."

"Experts from Wisconsin's Hospital Association say expanding the number of slots in college training programs is critical in keeping up with the demand for health care professionals."

UMD is doing its part in providing qualified pharmacists...and they're being snatched up as soon as they graduate.

"We have full classes, its very high demand, very competitive to get in on either campus. It's working very nicely.

In Duluth, LeAnn Wallace, the Northlands News Center.

The 60 pharmacy students studying at UMD are expected to graduate this year.