WAMC Northeast Public Radio
The New York State Assembly Health, Labor, and Higher Education Committees held a public hearing this month on the impact of COVID-19 on health care delivery and the health care workforce…
…Jeanne Moore is Director of the Center for Health Workforce studies, a research center based at the University at Albany School of Public Health. Moore says 15% of the U.S. labor force either works in health care or a health care related occupation. She says registered nurses are leaving their jobs due to burnout, and that many New York health care provider recruitment and retention issues are pandemic related.
“Hospitals reported the most difficulty recruiting clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, registered nurses and psychiatrists, citing general workforce shortage as the primary reason,” Moore said. “Hospitals reported the most difficulty retaining surgical technicians, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, clinical laboratory technologists, citinge better opportunities as the primary reason. Long term care providers reported the greatest difficulty recruiting licensed practical nurses, RNs, certified nursing assistants, citing general workforce shortage as the primary reason. Long Term Care Providers reported the most difficulty retaining registered nurses, home health aides and licensed practical nurses, citing better opportunities and fear of COVID exposure as the primary reasons. Homecare providers reported the greatest difficulty recruiting home health aides, personal care aides, citing general workforce shortages and fear of COVID exposure as the primary reason…