Travel Nursing News Roundup: Omicron, Best Jobs, Nursing Shortage, Etc
The nursing shortages that we are experiencing are not limited by national borders. Worldwide, country leaders and citizens alike are facing the reality that registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and other allied health workers have known for years; there have not been enough for years and as we cross into the third year of pandemic conditions the nursing shortage is expanding as many are leaving the industry as the stress and unrelenting challenges simply become too much.
World Report of Nursing Leaders Demands Action Plan to Address Nursing Shortage
On the 24th of January, nursing leaders from all over the world joined forces to publish a global report that demands an action plan to address the crisis. The report stated, “We cannot risk more damage to an already impaired workforce, and we cannot revert to the pre-pandemic situation of ‘living with’ extensive nursing shortages. We need a plan.”
We’ve seen in other countries such as England, Canada, Australia, and others a significant uptick in recruitment of nurses from other countries, which is cause for concern because it pulls resources from lower-income countries that already struggle to face the pandemic’s challenges. The report demands effective and ethical approaches to international recruitment and warns against the practice of stealing from one hand to pay with the other, “this is a global health crisis, and it requires a fully funded and actionable ten-year plan”
according to co-author Howard Catton, International Center for Nurse Migration (ICNM) chief executive.
Professor James Buchan of the University of Technology Sydney, identified as the lead author of the report stated, “Governments have not reacted effectively to the growing worldwide shortage of nurses, and now they must respond to the pandemic, which is an alarming game-changer that requires immediate action.”
Read the entire report, Sustain and Retain in 2022 and Beyond, when you click here.
Two New York Nurses Charged for COVID Vaccine Fraud
Julie DeVuono, nurse practitioner (NP), and Marissa Urraro LPN, have been charged for forging COVID-19 vaccination cards. The pair allegedly charged $220 per vaccine card for adults, and $85 for vaccine cards for children. According to authorities, the two had earned over $1.5 million from their scheme since November 2021, conducting their business out of the Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare in Amityville in Suffolk County New York.
Open Call for Nominations for the 2022 Nightingale Nursing Award
The annual Nightingale Awards for Nursing Excellence is preparing for its 34th year of awards for Michigan nurses. The award show will be held during National Nurses Week in May, and will cover ten separate nursing categories:
- Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing
- Distinguished Alumni Award
- Excellence in Nurse Leadership
- Excellence in Education
- Excellence in Executive Administration
- Nursing in the Community
- Post-Acute Care & Specialty Nursing
- Excellence in Staff Nurse Practice
- Excellence in Nursing Research
- People’s Choice Award
Do you know a nurse in Michigan who deserves to be recognized for his or her skill, contributions, commitment, and compassion? Nominations are due no later than March 1, 2022. You can find the nomination form and guidance for submissions on the website:
Omicron Wreaks Havoc on Nursing Home Staffing Problems and Force Longer Hospital Stays
The Omicron wave has hit hospitals hard but is wreaking havoc on long-term care facilities and retirement homes as well. Those facilities already face high employee turnover, as evidenced by the high number of travel nursing job contracts for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs we see available, and while the Omicron variant may not be as deadly, it’s highly contagious nature means that more staff are missing work due to isolation and quarantine. New Jersey Ombudsman stated that they’ve received complaints from patients reporting there is one CNA caring for 50 patients.
Several states, New Jersey included, have had to lean on the National Guard to help out in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and skilled care facilities. Nevertheless, it isn’t enough for some. Nursing homes are closing wings, or simply closing their doors altogether. Consequently, hospitals don’t have anywhere to send their patients who are ready to leave the hospital but need the additional help or extended care of a facility before returning to their homes. Some families are taking on caregiving in their own homes as a result, however, home health agencies face staffing struggles of their own and in some places are limited in how much they can assist these families.
US News Releases 100 Best Jobs for 2022 Ranking – Healthcare Jobs Monopolize List
We’re in the business of healthcare, and we love what we do. Naturally, we’re not surprised that healthcare jobs overshadowed every other industry on the ranking list published by US News and World Report. Regardless of our lack of surprise, we remain hopeful that this list will influence other potential nurses and allied health workers in the industry. Here’s a rundown of where healthcare jobs hit in the rankings:
Four of the top ten best jobs belong to the healthcare industry:
#2 – Nurse Practitioner
#3 – Physician Assistant
#4 – Medical and Health Services Manager
#10 – Speech-Language Pathologist
Five of the next ten best jobs were healthcare as well:
#11 – Physician
#12 – Registered Nurse
#16 – Respiratory Therapist
#18 – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
#19 – Nurse Anesthetist
Moreover, that pattern of healthcare job domination continues throughout the list:
#22 – Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
#23 – Veterinarian
#28 – Physical Therapist
#30 – Occupational Therapy Assistant
#31 – Occupational Therapist
#36- Pediatrician
#37 – Optometrist
#39 – Epidemiologist/Medical Scientist
#40 – Home Health Aide
#41 – Personal Care Aide
#44 – Anesthesiologist
#45 – Obstetrician and Gynecologist
#47 – Dentist
#49 – Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
#51 – Psychiatrist
#55 – Orthodontist
#56 – Orthotist and Prosthetist
#60 – Clinical Laboratory Technician
#61 – Psychologist
#63 – Physical Therapy Assistant
#64 – Medical Assistant
#71 – Genetic Counselor
#72 – Chiropractor
#73 – Pharmacist
#75 – Dietitian and Nutritionist
#79 – Audiologist
#82 Radiation Therapist
#91 – Dental Hygienist
#93 – Ophthalmic Medical Technician
#96 – MRI Technologist
#97 – Medical Secretary
#99 – Community Health worker
#100 – Nurse Midwife
You’ll see that allied health and nursing jobs are present on this list. Just because those jobs are in high demand, as evidenced by the high-paying nursing contracts available right now for RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and allied health positions, yet the ranking isn’t determined only by industry need. The title is “Best Jobs” not “Most Needed”. To determine the rankings, the report considered calculations for median income, unemployment rate, projected growth, future job prospects, stress, and work-life balance.
Join Elite Specialty Staffing Talent Pool and Change Your Life
That’s it for our news roundup this month. While travel nurses didn’t make the best jobs list, specifically, we know that the qualifiers US News used to create their list apply to our travel clinicians. Earning more while doing what you love with the freedoms only a travel healthcare worker has, makes travel nursing #1 on our list. Call us today and join our talented RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and allied health workers whose experiences are unique, life-changing, and helpful to communities across the country.