Nevada's Nursing Shortage Could Become Major Crisis

Nevada RNformation, May 2004 by Timko, Steve

"I don't think people realize what a beautiful place Northern Nevada is," Passaretti said. She said she earns less money now than she did in California, even after taxes, but not appreciably less.

"Money is always a way to get people (to) come," she said. "If they wanted to lure nurses, there's no doubt higher salaries would do it."

Working conditions

A representative for the union that represents Washoe Medical Center nurses said if hospitals gave nurses a better workplace environment, they would attract more nurses.

"They're running ragged. They burn out after a few years of doing that," said Howard Ryan, a business representative for Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3.

Ryan said hospitals reduce costs by hiring fewer nurses.

In response to Ryan's comments, Washoe Medical Center said it is aggressively recruiting new nurses.

"Our primary objective is to provide absolute quality and uninterrupted care for patients at all time," said Washoe Medical Center spokeswoman judy Davis.

Davis acknowledges hiring has not matched the increase in patients. Since nurses unionized in 1999, the hospital has had a 29 percent increase in admissions but a 17 percent increase in nurses, Davis said.

In a written statement, Washoe Medical Center said it would not risk the safety of patients or risk its reputation by under-staffing. It constantly monitors how many patients it has and what kind of care its patients need, the statement said. The state of Nevada also monitors its staffing level, the hospital said.

"We are one of the few hospitals in the area that will pay to have traveler nurses come in who will fill vacancies on a temporary basis while we recruit nurses to fill the positions," Davis said.

Reprinted with permission of the Reno Gazette Journal

by Steve Timko

RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL