The chair of Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Nursing said interest in the health care profession moves in two directions right now.
Brooke Bentley said a year of coronavirus and the associated stress has caused some nurses to leave nursing. But, she noted, others are enrolling in nursing programs because they feel compelled to do so. One point is clear, Bentley added, there are nursing jobs open right now. “Most hospitals have a fair number of vacancies for nurses. They have beds that they cannot fill because they do not have staffing for those,” said Bentley.
Bentley said the shortage is definitely impacting not only acute care hospitals, but also ambulatory clinics and health departments. She noted nurses provided intimate care and comfort when families couldn’t. “The nurses have not only been the nurse but they’ve also been the family to the patient. To be the one holding their hand and seeing their faces when they die that has definitely contributed to the compassion fatigue and it’s very real,” explained Bentley.
The EKU College of Nursing leader said the staffing issue is not likely to change quickly. Bentley said it will be two to four years before those with a nursing interest complete their preparation.
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