WASHINGTON - Upstate New York hospitals are facing a massive nursing shortage that could jeopardize medical treatment in an emergency, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday.

The senator released a report showing that there are 70,500 nurses currently working in upstate hospitals - 6,100 less than needed to meet demand, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Cayuga County is short 35 nurses. There are 410 nurses currently employed.

A major reason for the shortage is the lack of personnel available to teach and train new nurses.

Schumer said there are more than 100,000 licensed registered nurses in upstate who are more than capable of becoming teachers.

“New York nurses are our first and last line of defense in an emergency,” Schumer said. “Fewer nurses mean longer shifts, longer waits to see doctors and nurses, longer response times to inpatient emergencies, and too few hands on deck during a crisis.”

The report, based on data from the University at Albany and HHS, estimated that upstate hospitals need 76,681 full-time nurses to meet health care demands.

Also contributing to the shortage is nurses leaving the field early because of job stress.

The New York State Nurses Association said 58.6 percent of registered nurses who intend to leave their jobs within the next 12 months cite stress as one of the top reasons for leaving.

To address the problem, Schumer said he is introducing the “Bringing Nurses Back Act of 2006.”

The bill would provide financial incentives and create an educational preparation program for qualified registered nurses who are no longer working to become faculty at nursing schools nationwide.

“This isn't a problem that's going to work itself out on its own,” Schumer said.