>>New Survey Shows Drastic Need for Registered Nurses, Nurse Support Positions
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania says widespread nurse staffing shortages are challenging hospitals' ability to keep up with demand. A new survey from the group says the shortage had been prevalent before the COVID epidemic but is even more critical now. Their results show more than one in four registered nurse positions were vacant as of November and December, according to the survey from nearly 70 medical providers. That's up from 21 percent in 2019. Among nurse support staff, 45 percent of jobs were empty. The report also detailed a striking rise in violence against health care workers.