LINCOLN — Nursing remains a rewarding job despite the workforce challenges facing the profession.

A handful of nurses shared this message Monday, May 9 during a Zoom press conference regarding the annual commemoration of Nurses Week, May 6-12.

The increased workload and stress caused by COVID-19, as well as earlier than expected retirement in the field, is contributing to a workforce shortage in the field.

By the year 2025, Nebraska is expected to be short 5,400 nurses according to Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association.

“We really need to invest in education in the long haul, but if we’re going to get through this workforce crisis, we’re going to have to retain who we have,” Nordquist said.

He went on to say that the shortage of nurses and certified nursing assistants has run between 15% and 20% in some areas of the state in recent weeks. However, he also noted that some nurses are beginning to return to full-time positions after working as "traveling" nurses during the height of the pandemic.

The Nebraska Legislature took several steps towards addressing the workforce challenges in the 2022 session, including increased funding for loan forgiveness programs and scholarships for those entering the health care field.

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