For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Aspirus Health recently shared several initiatives it has implemented to address shortages in the healthcare workforce.
“Industries across the country are still experiencing workforce challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Aspirus said in a release. “The healthcare sector is no different.”
Aspirus said those challenges were highlighted in the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s 2023 Workforce Report (www.wha.org/workforce-2023) released Tuesday, March 28.
Among the initiatives Aspirus has put in place are the creation of healthcare career pipeline programs for CNAs, medical assistants and phlebotomists and the incorporation of training programs to help potential employees start their careers.
“We understand that a portion of the health care workforce that may have left the industry,” said Deb Ball, Aspirus SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer. “We are working tirelessly to make sure that we have the talent needed to continue to provide patient safety, clinical quality and experience of care that our patients expect from us.”
Aspirus said programs such as the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Student Program (www.aspirus.org/cna) have been a “great success for the system.”
“To date, the program has held 23 total classes in Portage, Rhinelander, Medford, Stevens Point and Wausau,” Aspirus stated. “This has led to 120 new CNAs starting their careers with Aspirus across the system.”
“The CNA Student Program is awesome because it allows someone to start a new healthcare career, with paid tuition, a supplemental stipend and a guaranteed position upon course completion,” said Rebecca Knutson, Aspirus Vice President of System Talent Management. “It’s also a feeder for those looking to advance their health career into areas such as nursing.”
WHA’s 19th annual industry report illuminates the impact of a nursing shortage that has reappeared in Wisconsin for the first time since the early 2000s, Aspirus noted.
To navigate that shortage, Aspirus said it is “working diligently” to increase opportunities for new nurses by offering clinical training and hiring bonuses, allowing nurses to work at the top of their licensure and providing clinical skill development programs such as its New Graduate RN Apprentice Program (www.aspirus.org/rnapprenctice).
Aspirus noted that it also offers internships for student nurses (www.aspirus.org/student-nurse-intern-program) at all its hospitals in the spring, summer and fall. Internships last 10 weeks and are available in a variety of different units.
“Access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services is vital for everyone, and Aspirus is committed to continuing to provide those services to its patients throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan,” Aspirus stated.