By Amy Curtis | September 2023

In this issue: Regional stakeholder report issued: data is still top of mind, but regional nursing issues emerge. Staggering statistic: 58%. Kudos: nursing workforce studies funded. Investments: simulation labs.

This newsletter is 807 words long, about a 3-minute read.

One Big Thing: Regional Stakeholder Meetings Reveal Similarities, Differences

Stakeholders discuss nursing workforce issues at a regional meeting in Junction City, KS. 

In June, nursing partners and health care leaders co-hosted regional stakeholder meetings in the southeast, western, and north central regions of the state. The objective for these meetings was to continue the conversation started in Topeka last March.

The big picture: “I believe that the regional stakeholder meeting was well received in the region.  Many attendees stated they would like to be part of additional meetings and development of the workforce center in Kansas. Having the different perspectives is the key in developing a workforce center that meets the needs of Kansas as a whole,” said Brian Pfannenstiel, MSN, RN, director of critical care at Hays Medical Center.

Why it matters: The nursing crisis looks different in each geographic area of our state. We must be mindful of how each area defines the problems and how they will tackle the problems. Collaboration and sharing ideas will lift everyone.

Similarities shared: Meetings revealed that while the desire for a central source of nursing workforce data is still top of mind for the state, each region has a unique take on their top priorities.

Differences revealed: In Pittsburg, the conversation focused on making it easier for nurses in practice to be a nurse. In Hays the idea of creating regional nursing pools to combat acute shortages took center stage. And in Junction City/Flint Hills, participants focused on student pathways into nursing and the need for scholarships.

Go deeper: Read the news article about the regional stakeholder meetings or download the report.

Staggering Stat: 58%

Source: Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform.

The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform (CHQPR) recently released a study revealing more than half (58%) of rural Kansas hospitals at risk of closing and 29 are at immediate risk of closure.

Since 2009 nine hospitals have closed in Kansas.

Perspective: Kansas has the most rural hospitals in the nation with 104.

Why it matters: When the nursing shortage is applied to this problem, the situation compounds. When hospitals have fewer nurses, they must divert patients or reduce services. This creates a downward spiral as revenue is lost.

According to the National Rural Health Association, medical desserts form in rural communities when hospitals close. And approximately 20% of a rural community’s employment and income come from the health care sector.

They note, “rural hospitals and the rural economy rise and fall together.” Communities falter when they do not have access to health care.

Go deeper: Read the CHQPR report.

Kudos: Grants Issued to Kansas Universities

The Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) awarded several Kansas universities nursing workforce grants for fiscal year 2023.

Grant types: The Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Program awarded nearly $1.3M, the Advanced Nursing Education-Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship Program (ANE-NPRF) awarded over $1.2M, and the Nurse Faculty Loan Program awarded over $144,000.

Why it matters: These federal grants bring much needed money to Kansas to:

We are proud of the nurse scientists bringing these resources to Kansas. 

Raise your hand: Did you receive a grant or funding that benefits Kansas nurses? Let us know! We'd love to congratulate you too. 

Investment: State-of-the Art Simulation

Source: Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State University (PSU) and Hutchinson Community College  recently announced state-of-the art nursing simulation lab investments.

PSU's Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing unveiled a new $8M simulation hospital, providing nursing students a more realistic setting in which to learn. The building includes simulated hospital rooms, associated control and preparation rooms, debriefing rooms, a waiting area, a nurse’s station, and classroom space. The addition increases PSU’s student capacity by thirty.

This month Sen. Jerry Moran announced $3M in Congressionally Designated Spending that will develop a partnership between Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and Hutchinson Community College. The funds increase student capacity by twenty.

Why it matters: Simulation in nursing allows students to practice the needed skills prior to performing them on a live patient. Faculty can debrief with students creating robust learning experiences.

The more capacity schools of nursing have to educate students in a safe and realistic way means Kansas can graduate more nurses to meet the growing demand.

Go deeper: Watch this video showing PSU’s new facility.

From the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center

Hello colleagues and health care stakeholders! The Kansas Nursing Workforce Center has been live for about a month. We are actively forming our advisory board and developing nursing data dashboards to support better decisions about the Kansas nursing workforce.

Looking ahead: We are excited for our upcoming panel presentation at the Workforce Innovation Conference October 2-3 in Manhattan. I’ll be joined by Dr. Linda Adams-Wendling, president, Kansas State Nurses Association, Jaron Caffrey, Project Manager-Workforce Strategies, Kansas Hospital Association, and Dr. Kathy Kottas, Dean, Workforce Training & Community Education, Barton County Community College.

Join us: We’ll discuss how innovative partnerships and strategic collaboration among associations, employers, government, and schools can help with the nursing shortage. I hope to see you there!

—Dr. Amy Garcia
Director, Kansas Nursing Workforce Center

Have Kansas Nursing Workforce news, solutions, or kudos you’d like us to share?
Email nursingwill@kumc.edu

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