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Where We Go From Here: Critical Next Steps For Wisconsin's RN Shortage

Recent data produced by the Wisconsin Hospital Association found that Wisconsin faces challenges in recruiting and retaining the healthcare professionals necessary to tackle the Badger State's healthcare needs.

Author:Daniel James
Reviewer:Karan Emery
Oct 30, 2024
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Out in midwestern America, a new type of trouble is brewing. No, I’m not talking about the motorcycle clubs that visit Milwaukee’s Harley-Davidson Museum each year - instead, it’s a staffing shortage hitting an industry that impacts all of us - specifically, healthcare.
Recent data produced by the Wisconsin Hospital Association found that Wisconsin faces challenges in recruiting and retaining the healthcare professionals necessary to tackle the Badger State's healthcare needs. In fact, over the next two decades, the deficit is expected to become as large as tens of thousands of nurses each year.
How does one begin to tackle the change? After all, even with accelerated nursing programs, training and adequately preparing nurses for the workforce still takes time - no matter how skilled they are. As we’ll soon find out, the intersection of new technologies such as AI and increased numbers of nursing graduates provides a unique opportunity to enhance the role of nurses while also tackling pressing staff shortages across the industry.

Why Are Nurses Important?

If you don’t regularly use healthcare services, it can be challenging to appreciate the important work that nurses do. With more than 88,000 nurses working in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Nurses Association, they account for nearly one-fifth of all education and health services workers across the state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics.
Nurses play a vital role in the care of patients. They may assess the condition of patients, administer medication, record observations, or even provide limited education. Nurses, crucially, act as a bit of a central point - helping to facilitate care across the capabilities of a hospital environment and ultimately act as the connective tissue between what a hospital can provide and being able to explain it in a simple way for patients to understand.

The Contemporary Nursing Shortfall

While nursing is a highly regarded healthcare profession - according to Gallup, it has been among the most trusted healthcare roles for more than two decades straight - it often faces challenges.
There are many reasons that nurses may quit their roles - they may feel burnt out, undervalued, or unsupported by leadership teams, which often need more experienced leaders. This growing bottleneckof interested students with a lack of workers leads to an interesting paradox - a workforce that needs to grow, hamstrung by the tools it currently has available to drive growth.
While these shortfalls may exist now, it is ultimately up to state authorities to decide if action is needed to tackle the issues at hand. If the shortages are ignored, it is quite possible that nurses will continue to leave the industry, placing the Wisconsin healthcare system under greater stress than it is today.

Looking Forward: Nursing Demand In 2040

Understanding the growing workforce demands for nursing paints a picture of the scale of the problem at hand. Data published by the Department of Workforce Development, in conjunction with the Job Center of Wisconsin, found that if there’s no attempt to increase the size of the nursing workforce, the shortfall of nurses will grow to more than 25.8% by 2040 - a shortage of more than 19,000 nurses.
As Wisconsin residents continue to age gracefully, more nurses will be required to work in new settings, such as the increasing number of Home Health Care nurses necessary to support the 1.5 million residents over 65 by 2040. Nursing staffing requirements will change as the population continues to change. In fact, some of the nursing roles that will be available in 2040 will likely be transformed by implementing new technologies, such as AI assistants.

Tackling Demand With New Strategies

It’s clear that there is a shortage here and now in Wisconsin. With the nursing shortage being felt nationwide, what is Wisconsin doing differently to encourage prospective nurses to come and work in the Badger State?
In part, the challenge comes down to three critical areas - awareness of the opportunities, increased capability to provide education programs, and support for existing nurses by removing pain points - areas of work that unnecessarily contribute to employee burnout and departures from the industry.
Social media has shown great success in increasing awareness of nursing roles in Wisconsin. In February 2024, a joint project launched by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, in conjunction with the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), launched a new social media initiative known as So Many Optionsto bring awareness to careers in the healthcare sector.
The initiative aims to highlight the individual stories of nurses and other healthcare professionals by presenting short videos of those working within the healthcare sector. These allow prospective nursing students to get a grasp of the sorts of roles on offer within healthcare and open the door to careers that are not always publicly showcased.
Other Wisconsin initiatives include programs designed to tackle the cost-of-living pressures that students may experience, particularly those who have recently graduated and are participating in residency programs. Since 2013, the Grow Your Ownprogram has supported the creation of more than 153 residency positions and substantially improved graduates' chances to stay within the state.
Other programs, such as an RN apprenticeship, also allow nursing students to get their first experience in the healthcare sector earlier than ever. Combined, these opportunities will help prospective nurses get into Wisconsin hospitals and provide them with experiences that will encourage them to stay.

What Will The Future Hold?

What does the future hold for the Wisconsin healthcare sector? While forecasting looks grim for the ongoing recruitment of new nurses, positive steps are being taken to address the nursing shortfall. These programs have a positive impact and are allaying concerns of even worse potential shortfalls in the nursing sector.
However, more will need to be done to ensure Wisconsin’s nursing population continues growing. As the Badger State's needs change, nurses will need to be trained to handle the challenges of an aging population. Whether Wisconsin will have the nurses to handle these demographic shifts remains to be seen, but things are looking up.
If you want to shift into a healthcare career, consider consulting with a career advisor. With a nursing shortage nationwide, it may be easier to get into a career in nursing than you think.
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Daniel James

Daniel James

Author
Daniel James is a distinguished gerontologist, author, and professional coach known for his expertise in health and aging. With degrees from Georgia Tech and UCLA, including a diploma in gerontology from the University of Boston, Daniel brings over 15 years of experience to his work. His credentials also include a Professional Coaching Certification, enhancing his credibility in personal development and well-being. In his free time, Daniel is an avid runner and tennis player, passionate about fitness, wellness, and staying active. His commitment to improving lives through health education and coaching reflects his passion and dedication in both professional and personal endeavors.
Karan Emery

Karan Emery

Reviewer
Karan Emery, an accomplished researcher and leader in health sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, brings over two decades of experience to the table. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Stanford University, Karan's credentials underscore her authority in the field. With a track record of groundbreaking research and numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, Karan's expertise is widely recognized in the scientific community. Her writing style is characterized by its clarity and meticulous attention to detail, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. Apart from her professional endeavors, Karan enjoys cooking, learning about different cultures and languages, watching documentaries, and visiting historical landmarks. Committed to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes, Karan Emery continues to make significant contributions to the fields of health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
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