By Andrew Coughlin, OMAHA, Neb- Hospitals and clinics across Nebraska are gearing up for the impending nursing shortage, expected to worsen significantly by 2025. The nursing shortage, which compounded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to longer wait times, staff burnout, and delays in patient care.
According to a recent survey by the Nebraska Center for Nursing, Nebraska has one of the highest nurse vacancy rates in the nation. Hospitals such as Methodist are offering significant hiring incentives and bonuses, but they face competition from larger states with higher wages and better benefits. Additionally, many nurses are leaving the profession altogether, citing overwhelming workloads and burnout.
Several factors contribute to the shortage. These include an aging workforce and insufficient numbers of new nursing graduates to replace retirees. At countless hospitals and nursing colleges across the state, efforts are in place to recruit and train students as fast as possible, but the demand far outweighs the supply.
Lawmakers in Nebraska are exploring solutions, including loan forgiveness programs and increased funding for nursing programs. State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh recently introduced a bill that would allocate more resources toward recruiting healthcare workers. With an expected shortage of over 5,600 nurses expected for 2025, lawmakers and healthcare policymakers alike are doing what they can to sweeten the deal for prospective nurses.
In the meantime, Omaha hospitals are adjusting to ensure patient safety despite these shortages. Nurses and doctors are working overtime, and burnout is at an all-time high. Industry experts point to multiple causes, including an aging supply of nurses, as well as the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
With patient demand expected to grow in the coming years, addressing Nebraska’s nursing shortage is crucial to maintaining quality healthcare in the state. For those interested in joining the healthcare field, Nebraska’s nursing schools and hospitals are actively recruiting new nurses.
