(St. Louis)  --  There's a nursing shortage going on, but the economy is doing a good job of keeping you from noticing.

   The Missouri Hospital Association says 7.8-percent of positions for registered nurses were open statewide at the end of last year.

   The rate was 5.7-percent in St. Louis.

   Normally, the vacancy rate is between eleven- and 22-percent.

   Hospital officials say that because of the economic downturn, middle-age nurses are putting off retirement and part-time nurses are requesting more hours.