Final answer:
The cyclic nursing shortage has been present since before the 1980s; however, given the answer choices, the best option is a) 1980. Shortages are influenced by demographic trends like retiring nurses and increased healthcare demand.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cyclic shortage of nurses has been an ongoing issue for several decades. According to historical trends in healthcare and nursing employment, the cyclic nursing shortage has been present since before the 1980s; however, the question's options do not include periods earlier than that. Therefore, the closest answer within the provided choices is a) 1980. It's important to note that the shortage varies over time due to various factors, including the aging nurse workforce, increased demand in healthcare services, and educational bottlenecks that limit the number of new nurses entering the profession.
Looking at the economic perspective, figures provided about the Impact of Decreasing Supply of Nurses between various years, indicate a trend that reinforces these shortages. Specifically, the text describes how a retirement wave leading to a decrease in supply of nurses shifts the supply curve leftwards, indicating an ongoing struggle with maintaining an ample supply of nurses to meet healthcare demands.
In summary, while nurse shortages have fluctuated over time, the shortages have been recognized at least since the 1980s, with continuing trends forecasting ongoing challenges due to factors like retirement and increasing healthcare demand.