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closePreparing for future need
Kay Deol / for Good Samaritan Hospital
It has been in the news, online and in research publications; perhaps it is the topic of conversation over morning coffee. The nursing shortage is widespread and it is expected to be more apparent as the baby boomers drift into retirement.
According to the National Council on Physician and Nurse Supply, hospitals across the country are currently experiencing a 30,000 nurse deficit, which is expected to grow to as high as 500,000 by 2025. Many hospitals and medical centers have had to resort to utilizing non-employed, temporary nurses.
In an effort to be proactive in preventing such drastic shortages in East Pierce County, Good Samaritan Hospital has implemented two programs designed to train and educate individuals into becoming registered nurses (RN).
In 2007, Good Samaritan Hospital began the RN Residency program. This 12-week program is designed to help recent nurse graduates, right out of school, obtain the residency experience required to become a registered nurse while providing them a full time paid position. This provides much needed help to our already busy nursing staff and provides incentives to continue working for Good Samaritan Hospital well after graduation.
These nurse residents who complete the program will be prepared for nursing careers in rehabilitation, medical/surgical, oncology, pediatrics, surgical services or emergency services. They have pledged their support to Good Samaritan by agreeing to work here for two years following their residency.
Since its inception, the RN Residency program has graduated 69 RNs to the Good Samaritan staff. With the new class starting just a month ago, we expect to see those numbers grow.
To complement the RN Residency program, Good Samaritan has adopted the LPN to RN Bridge program with Pierce College. This program encourages and allows LPNs to easily attain credit and experience to become a Registered Nurse. Under the program, MultiCare Health System will pay for the cost of tuition, books and fees and provide a $1,000 per month stipend with the students pledging to work for MultiCare for three years following graduation.
The program currently has 31 participants, 11 of which have graduated and six are due to graduate this spring.
Good Samaritan Hospital is working hard to continue to provide care that exceeds expectations in our growing communities. We are working hard to stay ahead of the curve by implementing programs that encourage today’s students to become care providers of tomorrow and we are growing our own.