Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Sept. 8, 1988, edition 1 / Page 5
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Thursday, September 8, 1988 THE PENDULUM 5 Op-Ed Nursing shortage worsening, hospital study shows - EHE^c>ErHcv - FIRST AID BmfeT Support pendulum Advertisers from the North Carolina Hospital Association The nursing shortage is growing worse across the state, a study by the North Carolina Hospital Association suggests. All regions of North Carolina show a higher percentage of nurs ing vacancies per hospital bed than was true a year age, the association reported. In Match 1987, hospitals responding to a similar study by the association showed a 5.8 percent average ratio between nursing vacancies and beds. Last month, that figure had risen to 8.3 percent. The ratio was up in each of the North Carolina Hospital Association’s six districts. Beds were counted only if they were open and ready for patients; beds taken out of use ty the hospital were not included. A total of 69 of the associations 145 member hospitals responded to the survey. Hospital leaders’ perceptions also suggest that the nursing shor tage is taking a turn for the worse. Some 62 percent of those respon ding said they felt that the nursing shortage is becoming more severe. Another 28 percent said they felt the shortage was “about the same” as last year. The association’s 1988 study also looked at the number of budgeted nursing positions at hospitals that were vacant last month. On average, 12 percent of all nursing positions were vacant at hospitals responding. Whether a hospital had a shortage is not related to the size of the hospital or its location, the study shows. “Small hospitals had nursing vacancy rates ranging from zero to 27 percent,” said C. Edward McCauley, president of the hospital association. “Larger hospitals had virtually the same range — zero to 24 percent of their nursing posi tions vacant. We saw no differences in rates among regions of the state. That indicates the nursing shortage is affecting the entire state, not just isolated hospitals.” To help hospital reduce their nur sing shortages, the North Carolina Hospital Association has begun publishing a monthly newsletter with ideas on how to recruit and re tain nurses and other allied health professionals. The newsletter, NCHA Man power Memo, includes innovation from around the state and nation. The most recent issue reports on: a $200,000 cooperative effort by Forsyth Memorial Hospital and North Carolina Baptist Hospitals, both in Winston-Salem, to attract WE’RE FINALLY OI^EN After months of delays, debacles, &. disasters, A Cleaner World is now open to serve you with the finest in dry cleaning for the Elon College, Gibsonville and West Burlington areas. A Cleaner World 112 W. Lebanon Ave. Elon College, N.C. 584-9112 MON.- FRI. 7'6 SAT. 8-5 coupon a a § o Grand Opening Special $2.00 off On $10.00 or larger order of dry cleaning (not valid for shirts) A Cleaner World - Elon College Location Only o o c o s Expires 9-30-88 't * --‘i'' ^ ^ ^ ^ junior and senior high school stu dent to health professions; a nurse- physician committee at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital in Concord; scholarships for students interested in becoming nurses offered by Nor thern Hospital of Surry County in Mount Airy, Rowan Memorial Hospital in Salisbury and Wilson Memorial Hospital in Wilson; and flexible scheduling and a precep tor program to help orient new nurses at Rowan Memorial. Ratios between nursing vacan cies and staffed hospital beds among hospital responding in the North Carolina Hospital Associa tion’s six districts for 1987 and 1988: District I (Mountains)—3 per cent in 1987, 5.4 percent in 1988 District II (North Central)—6 percent in 1987,9.2 percent in 1988 District III (Metrolina)—8.6 per cent in 1987, 10.6 percent in 1988 District IV (Triangle)—7 percent in 1987, 9.7 percent in 1988 District V (Southeast)—3.4 per cent in 1987, 9.2 percent in 1988 District VI (Coastal Plain)—3.4 percent in 1987, 5.4 percent in 1988 Classifieds HELP WANTED: Two part-time morning and two part-time evening positions available. Some heavy work required. Apply: Wickes Lumber, 533 N. Park Ave., Burlington. “HIRING! Federal government jobs in your area and overseas. Many immediate openings without waiting list or test. $15-68,000. Phone call refundable. (602) 838-8885. Ext. 5279.” KEEP THE MEMORIES. A Jostens College Ring does it best. It says “Pride”. It says “Achieve ment”. It even says “Success”. Order yours today at the Campus Shop. HAVING TROUBLE finding up- to-date information for your research paper or speech? Running short on time? Call RESEARCH UNLIMITED. 229-9884. All sub jects researched.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Sept. 8, 1988, edition 1
5
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