GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The University of Wisconsin – Green Bay is finding ways to combat the nursing shortage in Wisconsin.
The university received a Workforce Innovation Grant from the governor’s office.
Its plan is to train more co-clinical instructors from nearby hospitals to be able to have more students in the program.
“We have a limited number of nurse educators, so this opportunity is going to help fund additional positions as well as partnerships to have clinicals so we can increase the capacity of nurses coming through,” says Amy Pechacek, secretary-designee of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
Student Alayna Peterson is interested in oncology nursing and says having these nurses guide her through simulations helps.
“They give us more of a, once again, a real life. We can learn this in the classroom, but this is how its going to be in real life, so it’s that extra bit of knowledge.”
UWGB is hoping to bring more instructors in soon.
“Right now, we have four co-clinical instructors. In the future, I could envision doubling that number,” says Christine Vandenhouten, UWGB Chair of Nursing & Health Studies.
According to the Department of Workforce Development, the state of Wisconsin is expecting a 36% increase in the demand for nursing needs by 2040.
“Especially with our baby boomers retiring, they’re going to continue to be consumers of healthcare. So, there is going to be a demand not only in the Green Bay area but around the state,” says Pechacek.
Vandenhouten says a part of the nursing shortage could be due to burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In particular, healthcare providers who went to work everyday facing individuals who were extremely, acutely ill — it takes an emotional toll.”
Peterson says it would help having more nurses around.
“Its just more perspectives,” says Peterson.
Funding for the Workforce Innovation Grant comes from the federal American Rescue Plan.
