Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1398595
54 NURSING SPOTLIGHT The root of the nursing shortage problem and what Louisiana leaders are doing about it By Gabrielle Masson A s hospitals across the nation deal with nursing shortages, leaders across Lou- isiana are teaming up to combat root causes of the shortage, CBS affiliate WWL-TV reported June 7. "e nursing turnover is really high typically in their first year of professional practice," said Jamie Wiggins, RN, senior vice president, chief clinical officer and chief nursing officer at Chil- dren's Hospital New Orleans. e hospital, part of New Orleans-based LCMC Health, hopes to hire 75 new nurses by the end of June, and is offering incentive programs and focusing heavily on recruitment, Mr. Wiggins told WWL-TV. e shortage isn't new, but it has been exacer- bated by the pandemic, Mr. Wiggins said. "By 2025 in New Orleans alone we're expecting a shortage of potentially 2,000 nurses if we don't do anything," Mr. Wiggins said. However, it's not for lack of interest. Louisiana nursing schools actually reject about 1,400 qual- ified applicants every year. "We're not seeing a shortage of applications," said Demetrius Porche, PhD, dean of the nurs- ing school at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. e school doesn't have enough faculty members to teach more applicants, and not because there aren't enough qualified faculty to teach, but because there isn't enough money to pay them, said Dr. Porche. LCMC Health is partnering with Chamber- lain University, an online or on-site nursing program. LCMC will pay full tuition for 90 nurses per year for three years. ose students will then spend three years at one of LCMC's hospitals upon graduation. Louisiana lawmakers have also created the HERO Fund to help the nursing profession. Effective Aug. 1, the five-year fund will come from tax dollars, grants and donations. n 11 best shoes for nurses, healthcare workers on their feet By Gabrielle Masson L ong-lasting comfort and support are crucial for nurses and health- care professionals who are constantly on their feet. Glamour took recommendations from medical professionals and tried out many styles in pursuit of a "no-fail pair that can be slipped on with bleary eyes and still make you feel put-together for 12-hour shifts." Here are the 11 best shoes for nurses, per Glamour: 1. Dansko Professional Slip-Ons ($125) 2. Hoka One One Hupana Flow Fitness Shoe ($115) 3. Reebok Women's Stroll DMX Lite Slip-On Walking Shoe ($49) 4. Crocs Women Classic Clog ($28) 5. Rothy's The Sneaker ($125) 6. Dansko Women's XP 2.0 Clogs ($84) 7. Ugg Sammy Chevron Sneakers ($60) 8. Adidas Ultraboost 21 Shoes ($180) 9. Keds Carmel Twill Slip-Ons ($45) 10. Nike Air Zoom Pulse Nurse's Shoe ($120) 11. Softwalk Meredith Sport Clog ($100) n Montana raises nurse pay by 17% at state hospital in effort to retain, recruit staff By Gabrielle Masson T he state health department is increasing entry-level nurse wages by 17 percent at Warm Springs-based Montana State Hospital in an attempt to boost recruitment and retention, reported The Montana Standard. The wage increase is effective immediately at the psychiatric hospital, the Montana Nurses Association said June 10, according to the Standard. The increase raises wages to $37.65 per hour, compared to the previous $32. Nurses with two or more years of experience will now make $38.70. The increases were based on compensation comparisons of other simi- lar psychiatric hospital employers, the nurse association reported. There are currently 36 nonmanagement openings for registered nurses at the hospital, a state health department spokesperson said June 10. The hospital currently serves about 174 patients. Vicky Byrd, MSN, RN, CEO of the Montana Nurses Association, applaud- ed the bump to remedy the hospital's chronic staffing shortage. "They have a seemingly insurmountable vacancy rate," Ms. Byrd told the Standard. "Mental illness is really difficult work. It's not for everyone, so we really praise the nurses who have stuck it out and stayed there." n