Iowa continues to face a serious staffing shortage in the healthcare sector. Nursing homes are drastically understaffed. Hospitals are struggling to find new hires, particularly in rural areas. COVID-19 exacerbated the issue. Now, five years post-pandemic, things still haven’t improved; in fact, they’re projected to get even worse. More people are working in healthcare, but growth hasn’t kept up with the aging population. While a multifaceted approach is needed to tackle the issue, one of the most important factors is making nursing education more attractive and accessible.
How Bad Is the Shortage?
A recent report shows that 91% of Iowa’s aged care facilities miss benchmarks, with the most inadequate facilities operating at up to 47.7% below required staffing levels. Vacancy rates in the state’s hospitals remain high, as an aging workforce retires and there aren’t enough new practitioners to fill roles.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), demand for RNs has increased by 3%, whereas supply has increased by just 1%. There’s also the issue of burnout, which is happening at unprecedented levels. It’s not only a case of not having enough licensed RNs, but of retaining members of the workforce as well.
Are Fast-Track Degrees a Solution?
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs provide a faster route to becoming an RN for people who already have a bachelor’s degree. Typically, an online accelerated BSN in Iowa takes around 15 to 16 months and combines online coursework with on-campus residences and clinical placements.
This modern approach to nursing education speeds up workforce entry without compromising training quality. It removes traditional barriers, like physical proximity to an institution, and allows for more flexible study for individuals with familial responsibilities. The remote learning model also helps career changers start nursing sooner and opens up the door for many potential nurses in rural Iowa. Nurses who train while remaining rooted in their rural community are more likely to stay and work locally, helping provide care in the state’s most underserved areas.
More Steps Beyond Online Degrees
To make ABSN programs work, we need a multi-pronged approach:
- Promote nursing as a career early: Introduce nursing more actively through school outreach and career fairs.
- Improve work conditions: Better pay, reasonable shifts, protection from workplace violence, and burnout prevention are essential to reduce turnover.
- Offer incentives for rural work: Things like tuition aid, housing support, and grants will encourage nurses to work in small towns.
- Partner colleges with hospitals: Students often stay locally after graduation, so colleges should focus on working with nearby medical centers to increase the chances of RNs remaining in the area.
For the best results, there needs to be a coordinated state-wide effort to address these factors while pushing ABSN programs.
Endnote
Iowa’s shortage of nurses continues to be critical. However, ABSN programs that offer fast-track online nursing degrees are a promising part of the solution. They reduce the barrier to entry and make it easier for career-switchers to study nursing and join the workforce sooner. By supporting these programs and simultaneously improving conditions for RNs, we can help create a future where every Iowan receives the care they need.