EYE TEST NEWS (WBRE / WYOU) – COVID-19 has exacerbated a health problem that existed before the pandemic. This problem is a nursing staff shortage that results in a record turnover of hospital staff.
It is more than workplace burnout that feeds this deficiency. Likewise, the problem of nurses stepping down and working for profitable travel programs.
A local health system believes it has found a solution to keep its nursing staff.
How big is the problem of care turnover? It has doubled at UPMC since that time last year. While the problem isn’t just in the healthcare industry, UPMC came up with it.
“I am pleased to introduce you to our latest program, which is innovative, bold and groundbreaking,” said Holly Lorenz, Chief Nurse Executive at UPMC.
UPMC recently announced that it is preparing to create what it believes is the first in-country travel agency. It will initially consist of registered nurses and surgical technologists.
“The benefits are enormous and a win-win for UPMC and nurses who want to travel,” said Lorenz.
Nurses will travel to UPMC hospitals in New York, Maryland and here in Pennsylvania, including the UPMC facilities in Williamsport and Lock Haven.
UPMC travel nurses will earn $ 85 an hour, while surgical technologists will be paid an hourly rate of $ 63. Travel grants of $ 2,880, prepaid every six weeks, are also part of the deal.
“This way we can keep our own nurses, recruit new nurses for UPMC and bring back nurses who have left the system,” explained Lorenz.
Many caregivers have left the healthcare system due to COVID burnout, a situation that has only gotten worse in recent weeks.
“Our goal is to reach 800 nurses, but it will take time to get there. Our original goal is to recruit UPMC nurses who have left, ”said John Galley, Senior VP / Chief Human Resources Officer at UPMC.
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800 traveling nurses are roughly the same number currently working in the UPMC system of 40 hospitals. Galley admits that being a traveling nurse is not for everyone. But by meeting a need through this new program, it helps solve a big problem.
“We wouldn’t do this if it didn’t help our core nurses and core technicians. You do most of the maintenance, ”Galley explained.
UPMC released Job offers for its travel nursing program last week and plans to start the program on January 2nd.
UPMC’s chief human resources officer says it will take time to get new and additional nursing students through the pandemic’s pipelines.
While these future nurses will be an obvious aid, in-house travel nurses will help UPMC meet an immediate need.
