A study released last week by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education showed health care jobs are anticipated to increase 12% over the next decade.
Even with this projection of a jump in jobs, Julie Marfel, associate professor in the University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing, says much depends on geographic location. She said only eight of Kentucky’s 120 counties are shown to have an adequate health care workforce. Marfel noted increased distance learning may help keep talented nurses close to home. “If you move out of where you live, what’s going to happen is nine times out of ten you’re not going to go home. So, if we can reach out and use more distance education with these individuals, they are more than likely to stay where they are at,” said Marfel.
Kentucky Nurses Association CEO Delanor Manson said KNA’s received calls from nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, asking if they should continue to work with fears of bringing the disease home. Manson added the “Nurses Helping Nurses” program with peer support and education is very important during these times.
The Kentucky Nurses Association executive director said a vaccine for COVID-19 likely will not reduce all stress for those in her profession. Manson noted nurses will continue to need support far into the period when immunizations are being administered. “They’re not going to forget about all the patients that died. They’re not going to forget about all those long hours that they were away from their families. They’re not forget about having to wear PPE for ten hours straight. They’re not going to forget about that. And they’re not going to forget about I wanted to do more, but I couldn’t. They’re not going to forget about that,” explained Manson.
Marfel said COVID-19 has caused fundamental changes in health care delivery. Marfel cited telehealth for increased collaboration within medicine and with community members as well. She said nurses pay has increased 19% over the last decade.
Manson explained the addition of more men in nursing has led to higher pay.
Here's an extensive interview with Julie Medfel and Delanor Manson:
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