South Mississippi hospitals work through nursing shortage

The nursing shortage seen across the country is still being felt here in Mississippi. Officials report nearly 3,000 nurse vacancies in the state right now.

Medical facilities across the nation, including South Mississippi are fighting to fill the gaps caused by an overwhelming nursing shortage.

Memorial Vice President of Clinic Operations Matt Walker says this is the worst shortage he’s seen in a more than 20-year career. “You’re dealing with burn out from staff, resignation from staff, travel nurses being the hot topic so people are wanting to explore other options for higher paying jobs that are more short term, but it is definitely creating a difficult scenario in the local health care community.”

Over at Singing River Gulfport, the effects are the same. Chief Nursing Officer Heather Rowley says they’re working to alleviate the physical and mental exhaust their nurses carry. “The supply of nurses is not there right now. What we have tried to do is pad our staff with unlicensed personnel so that is nursing assistants, nursing techs. So instead of having one of those people on your team you’ll have 4 or 5 people on your team so you’re able to take care of a few more patients and only do the things that require a nursing license.”

Day after day, Singing River Gulfport Patient Care Manager Richr’d Moore says the stresses and exhaustion fill the halls of Singing River Gulfport as his nurses continue giving their all in overwhelming times. “Fatigue. They’re tired. That is the most honest thing I can say. Reason being with a nursing shortage people have to pick up the slack and my nurses are picking up the slack. Day in and day out. I’ve worked shifts and other managers have worked shifts because there is a nursing shortage and the patients have to be taken care of. So, they are tired, but they are still managing to get up every day and come to work.”

Despite the mounting challenges and work, Moore says being a nurse brings him happiness. “There is no more rewarding job that I have experienced. As a nurse, I can say from my heart and soul there is nothing else that has given me that kind of impact.”