There continues to be a severe nursing shortage across the United States, and in the Carolinas it's no different.
As the calls to solve the nursing shortage get louder, Jennifer Church - a registered nurse at Piedmont Medical Center - is reminded that this profession is full of purpose.
“It just felt right,” Church said. “Even on the worst, worst day of COVID I never second guessed my career.”
But these days, there are fewer nurses in health care systems.
“It’s physically, emotionally, and mentally very tough," Church said.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, data reveals that 100,000 nurses left the workforce during the pandemic, and by 2027, almost 900,000 -or about one-fifth of 4.5 million total registered nurses - intend to leave the workforce.
Experts say that could create challenges to the care we receive.
“You really can’t do much without a nurse, nurses are the conduit between the doctors and the patients," Janet Bright, Chief Nursing Officer at Piedmont Medical Center, said.
Bright acknowledges the hardships the career can bring but says they're working to build community support, flexibility, and safety education. She says this effort is critical.
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