Many of Wisconsin’s nursing students are hired months before they graduate as desperate need continues
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | April 25, 2022
In its most recent annual report, the Wisconsin Hospital Association declared the state’s nursing shortage had reached its “tipping point.” Hospitals were reporting vacancy rates for registered nurse positions more than twice as high in 2021 than in 2020, and turnover rates had also doubled. Registered nurses rank high among the state’s hottest jobs in a list compiled by the Department of Workforce Development of occupations with the highest projected growth, and employers are reaching out in increasing numbers to recruit nursing students.
As COVID-19 worsens nursing shortage, Madison hospitals, schools step up
Madison.com | April 4, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has led some nurses to retire early, find other work or join high-paying staffing agencies, exacerbating a nursing shortage in Wisconsin. David Wahlberg of the Wisconsin State Journal spoke with UW-Madison School of Nursing Dean Linda Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, as well as leaders at other schools and hospitals, about what incentives and strategies they’re implementing to ease Wisconsin’s nursing shortage.
Wisconsin Hospital Association Reports Critical Shortage of Nurses
WGBA NBC26 Green Bay | March 22, 2022
The “Great Resignation” has created a shortage of health care workers across the state, according to the 2022 Health Care Workforce Report put out by the Wisconsin Hospital Association. NBC26 in Green Bay spoke with Dean Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, about the challenges that nurses are facing throughout the pandemic, and how it has affected the nursing workforce across the state of Wisconsin.
Improving forensic care for Indigenous survivors of sexual assault
Wisconsin Public Radio | December 10, 2021
According to the National Institute of Justice Journal, more than half of American Indian and Alaska Native women faced sexual violence or intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Wisconsin Public Radio spoke with two experts, School of Nursing alumnae Jeneile Luebke ’02, MSN’09, and Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, PhD’06, about efforts to improve medical forensic care access and train health care providers.
Nurses don’t want to be hailed as ‘heroes’ during a pandemic
The Conversation | November 15, 2021
School of Nursing alumna Jessica Rainbow, PhD’18, and two of her colleagues at the University of Arizona study nurse well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across their studies, they have found that nurses are struggling and, without help from both the public and health care systems, they may leave nursing altogether. To help others understand nurses’ experiences, they shared five key takeaways from their studies.
Madison nursing schools can’t admit more students even as applications rise
WKOW.com | October 15 2021
“We still receive two to three applicants for every seat that we can admit. So, we turn away a number of qualified students because of that.” —Linda Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, dean and professor, UW–Madison School of Nursing
Oregon’s Berkan balances ER nursing, family with Ironman
The Oregon Observer | September 8, 2021
“I like the team aspect of nursing and the physician collaboration with the emergency department. I don’t think you can find that in any other aspect of nursing.” —Becky Berkan ’03
Inject and Protect: Student helpers provide a shot in the arm for vaccination efforts
OnWisconsin | Summer 2021
“The students have been really engaged with the community. They’re so happy to be part of the pandemic recovery. It’s been kind of a profound experience for them. … It really embodies what they pictured being a nurse would be like.” —Jessica Coburn, clinical assistant professor, UW–Madison School of Nursing
UW-Madison commencement returns thousands of graduates to Camp Randall Stadium
Wisconsin State Journal |May 9, 2021
Representing the School of Nursing at UW-Madison’s commencement ceremony Saturday, Noor Bontz carried the school’s flag into Camp Randall Stadium. The past year has been rough, Bontz said, as she cared for vulnerable people, continued her education and supported her children learning from home. But when Provost Karl Scholz told the graduating crowd that “Noor helped treat the first and subsequent waves of COVID-19 cases,” her efforts were met with thousands of peers cheering in support.
Miracle Students
The Black Voice | May 4, 2021
“The lack of representation in healthcare, the distrust between the Black community and healthcare providers is real. The lack of representation of Black women, especially, has definitely sparked my interest in just being able to increase the amount of positive interactions between providers and the Black community.” —Samone Hall, BSN student
Kevin Reilly: UW students delivering shots is practical patriotism
Wisconsin State Journal | April 20, 2021
“The person who had given me my shot was an undergraduate nursing student at UW-Madison. She was competent and caring. More important, she was donating her time to address the largest, deadliest public health challenge facing Wisconsin and the nation in a hundred years. She was contributing her energy and expertise to a vital national effort to protect the health and lives of her fellow citizens.” —Kevin Reilly, former president, University of Wisconsin System