PENNSYLVANIA (WENY) -- Even prior to the COVID pandemic there was a shortage of nurses in the Commonwealth. Now, as the world finds daylight and a new way of “normal” after the pandemic; the labor shortage is only growing.  

“The shortage of nurses and physician assistants stems from the retirement of baby boomers. There is a big exodus of baby boomers at this time. Coupled with burnout of healthcare providers,” said Dean of the College of Health Professions, Dr. Leo-Felix Jurado. 

Nurses and physician assistants are experiencing compassion fatigue, which is when healthcare providers' emotional and physical exhaustion leads to a lower ability to provide emotional support to others. The bigger issue is getting enough faculty to teach the next generation of nurses and physician assistants. 

“The lack of faculty at the same time the lack of clinical placements. There is this fight for clinical placements for every nursing school,” said Jurado.

Due to the shortage of professionals able to teach the next generation it is becoming exceedingly difficult to admit students to the program. Similar to nurses, Jurado says teachers of this degree are being overworked and underpaid. By the year 2030, it is estimated there will be a shortage of 17, 600 more nurses.

“We are trying to work with, trying to establish a clinical partnership with medical centers to somehow offset expenses for aspiring nursing students,” said Jurado 

Potentially providing more scholarships could create incentives, helping students meet their external needs, from family, and jobs to even just being social.

“Let’s continue to support health care providers like nurses and physician assistants they are very much needed,” said Jurado.