GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- As our healthcare systems continue to fight the pandemic, they're seeing both a rise in Covid-19 cases and a nursing shortage. Today, they're going to great lengths to find help.
We've heard about fatigue and burnout taking their toll on nurses during the pandemic, but it doesn't seem to be impacting the number of students chasing down the profession.
"We've seen consistent numbers in admissions and applications for the nursing program," says Brian Krogh, NWTC's Associate Dean of their Nursing Program.
"We had over twice as many applications as we had spots for the program this year," adds Christine Vandenhouten, the Director of Nursing at UWGB.
From the University of Wisconsin Green Bay to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, nursing programs continue to be as popular as ever. And their graduates likely won't struggle to find work as hospitals across the region look to fill voids.
"Here in the hospital setting I probably have needs for about 26 to 30 nurses that I would love to have," says Laura Hieb, Bellin Health's Chief Nursing Officer.
Hieb says Bellin Health is even offering hiring bonuses for nurses, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for the right candidates. But when they can't fill the voids Hieb says they're forced to bring in temporary help, known as traveling nurses.
"Bellin historically, for many years, has never had to use travelers. But when we hit our Covid surge last year we ended up having to reach out and bring some travelers in," says Hieb.
Traveling nurses will stay in town for anywhere from a few weeks to several months making anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 a week. It's a price point and opportunity that nursing program directors say can be quite the incentive for a recent graduate with a desire to travel and gain experience.
"Opportunities for earning and bonuses, I would say this is probably one of the more lucrative times for nursing."
And while a year and a half ago some were questioning what kind of an impact the pandemic would have on the healthcare industry and nurses in general; today it appears as if those who were destined to be the helpers in society are still pursuing roles in nursing.
"It's scary, but it's not deterring them which is great," adds Krogh.
