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Read on to learn about some of the challenges in Lancaster, and how to overcome them with a cost-effective and easy-to-use healthcare staffing platform.
Data on nurse staffing in Lancaster, Ohio
Understaffing has been a problem since before the pandemic. In September 2024, a report by the Ohio Nurses indicated that there is an exacerbated and growing nursing crisis in this state.
Some highlights from the report are as follows:
- More than 60 percent of bedside nurses are considering leaving their jobs because of current conditions.
- Due to the patient care load, 63 percent of nurses stopped working in bedside care.
- In the 12 months prior to the report, 65 percent of nurses had experienced violence in the workplace.
In addition, 91 percent of nurses support legislation that would regulate minimum hospital staffing standards.
Other factors affecting the nursing shortage in this state include a population with increasing instances of chronic diseases and a larger number of nurses retiring.
What are some challenges for facilities in Lancaster?
Healthcare facilities are struggling with different challenges in Lancaster. For example:
- Financial strain: Since Lancaster is considered rural, it is difficult to allocate enough money to attract nursing talent. For example, travel nurses can cover vacancies but at a higher cost to the facility.
- Nursing shortages: With a high percentage of nurses leaving the profession, hospitals and other facilities are losing large portions of their workforce.
- Clinician shortages: In Lancaster and throughout Ohio, there is a widespread shortage of all types of clinicians, including physicians. Lancaster has difficulty competing with other large cities and regions in terms of wages.
- Limited resources: There are some rural disparities affecting Lancaster. Insufficient resources result in delays in care, increased medical errors, and compromised patient outcomes.
Other factors driving the need for short-term staffing, such as last-minute callouts, seasonal surges, or emergencies, only worsen the situation.
Improved levels of medical staffing and nurse staffing can have a significant impact on the challenges Lancaster faces.
Solutions to the staffing crisis
Some strategies that may address the staffing crisis in healthcare for Lancaster include these:
- Supportive culture: Having a positive work environment can improve job satisfaction. Ideas such as quiet break rooms or getting employee feedback are easy to implement.
- Integration of per diem staffing: Contracted staff can support internal facility staff. For example, PRN staffing platforms use technology to fill shift gaps. This solution allows facilities to react to fluctuating patient census.
- Skill diversification: During emergencies, it is useful to have employees ready to float to other departments. This requires an employee to be cross-trained in different skills.
- Mental health support: Employee support programs can be implemented to mitigate burnout.
- Competitive compensation: Implement bonuses or incentives to keep clinicians from seeking out better-paying opportunities in other nearby cities.
- Training and education: Creating advanced educational and training opportunities attracts professionals. Facilities can create partnerships with educational institutions to achieve this.
Meet the needs of your facility with per diem staffing
Per diem shifts offer you the convenience of getting healthcare staff only when you need them. With Nursa, facilities in this city can connect with local certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses.
How can you get the best clinicians in your area without complications?
The appeal of per diem shifts is that they attract many healthcare professionals who already have jobs but want to pick up extra shifts. This creates a large, diverse pool of professionals in Lancaster that facilities can access through the platform. This variety benefits facilities, allowing them to maintain higher standards of care.
Having more clinicians to choose from is a great advantage for Lancaster facilities. In addition, emergency staffing can be obtained at the last minute.
On-demand staffing is an adaptable strategy. In the past, travel nurses could be hired for peak seasons or vacancies. However, if there were sudden drops in the patient census, facilities had to pay expensive cancellation fees to the nurse staffing agencies or be overstaffed.
Price transparency with Nursa
Another significant advantage of Nursa includes transparent pricing. This means that there are no hidden fees of any kind, and you have total control over shift pricing.
Avoid recruitment fees or contracts to reduce your staffing costs. Nursing clinicians sourced through the platform are contract workers, which means your facility only pays for the hours worked—no employee benefits or overtime.
Nursa allows you to overcome your staffing issues with ease, transparency, and by managing the appropriate personnel for your facility on your own.
Use Nursa for your short and long-term needs
Let yourself explore Nursa's two new aspects of staffing:
Nursa short-term
How can Nursa support healthcare facilities in the short term?
Learn more about the advantages that Nursa can offer you in the short- and medium-term:
- Immediate staffing solutions: Post available shifts in real-time. With efficiency and rapid response, staff call outs and emergencies can be resolved quickly.
- Planned staffing solutions: When internal staff request time off, plan the coverage for their shifts with the PRN staffing app. They can take the time they need without feeling guilty for overburdening their coworkers.
Nursa long-term
Can a staffing app support facilities in the long term?
Some of Nursa's long-term advantages for facilities include the following:
- Job satisfaction: Generally, this can reduce the stress on internal staff since they are no longer feeling overworked and can take time off. They have the help they need—when they need it.
- Try out clinicians: You can use PRN shifts with the platform to get to know clinicians before you make the decision to hire them. Nursa does not charge hire-away fees.
Can my facility use Nursa?
You can use Nursa if you have a need for hospital staffing or if you need long-term care facility staffing.
If your healthcare facility needs local healthcare professionals who have undergone a license and credential verification process, then yes, your facility can benefit from using Nursa.
The platform is simple to use. You can sign up for a facility account and create a compliance checklist that is customized to the policies and needs of your facility.
If you have more questions or need more support, Nursa Support is available to help.
Download Nursa and start posting shifts
There is a great pool of PRN nurses in Lancaster, OH, looking for shifts at your facility. Why don’t you get started today?
Creating an account with Nursa is easy and free.
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