CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Health care leaders and a Charlotte community college are seeking solutions to the burnout felt by those in the medical field.
Years after the height of the pandemic, there are still long waiting times at both hospitals and for in-home care.
The burnout leads some in the industry to leave for other jobs.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is creating a leadership team to tackle the problem and create a path forward.
State health officials want to work on keeping the staff they have, but also on educating the next generation of health care workers.
As the calls to solve the shortage of health care workers get louder, Associate Dean of Nursing and Nursing Aide at Central Piedmont Community College Monica Burnette knows there are fewer nurses in our health care system.
“I’m a nurse myself, so I see it every day on the front lines, the needs that we have out there, and as Charlotte grows, we’ll have more of those needs," Burnette said.
Before the pandemic, North Carolina already expected a shortage of 12,500 registered nurses by 2033, which is now expected to get worse, according to the UNC Sheps Center.
“This is an issue that impacts all North Carolinians," NCDHHS Policy Director Karen Wade said.
Wade said if something isn't done to stem the tide, this could take our state into a health care crisis of huge proportions.
“It impacts our health and well-being; it also impacts our workforce across the board and it has an economic impact as well," Wade said. "It’s really something we need to come together as the state to address.”
The state is addressing the problem with the Caregiving Workforce Strategic Leadership Council, a group of health care leaders working to create a roadmap to fix the shortages.
Their focus points are direct care, nursing, and behavioral health, with the goal of improving recruitment, retention, and training.
Creating the future generation is something that Central Piedmont Community College is working to tackle.
“It’s exciting for Central Piedmont because we’re offering options we didn’t before," Burnette said.
Meanwhile, Burnette says it can be a difficult job, but this profession is full of purpose.
“Being able to see at the end of the day, my patients get well and go home. And on the education side, growing and seeing that lightbulb moment," Burnette said. "It’s a blessing to know you’ve touched someone’s life.”
Students can reach out to inquire about CPCC's nursing programs at: HealthSciences@cpcc.edu
Here is a link to all the health care programs offered at Central Piedmont Community College including nursing.
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