By Katherine Piette
Although pandemic trends are fluctuating right now with some areas of the country surging, the issues of managing hospital staffing and nurse burn-out continue to make the news. A recent article cites the return to 1990s nursing shortages and incentive pay. https://www.incrediblehealth.com/blog/hiring-bonuses-for-nurses/
There are many contributing factors to the developing nurse shortage, ranging from early retirements coupled with an aging nursing workforce, to an overflow of patients and hospital vaccine mandates. Regardless of the reason, nurses are once again in high demand. Recently, a friend shared a jaw-dropping report of signing bonuses being in the $30k-$50k range.
One has to wonder how long this can/will last? Even with the implementation of advanced telemedicine models and other technology innovations being deployed into the patient suite of a hospital, the risks of nurse over-staffing remain on the mind of all Nursing Directors and CNOs.
There are alternatives! With the thoughtful use of @Home models which combine Telehealth approaches with boots-on-the-ground teams, hospitals can better manage acuity, increase patient satisfaction, decrease total cost of care, and reduce caregiver burnout. Only the most acute, sick, and fragile patients should be admitted to hospitals. But, once diverted back to the place of residence, allocation of Home Health and Hospice care teams needs to be challenged.
Corstrata has spent years developing a high quality, post-acute, and home-based Telehealth service for Skin Health, Wounds, and Ostomies. The year of 2020 stimulated the expansion of these models, including the implementation of a robust Corporate Structure that allows for the maximum breadth of interaction with patients under the respective laws of each state’s Nurse Practice Act. Although the 2020 emergency waivers can be credited with the impetus, Corstrata moved ahead aggressively to permanently extend nursing education and intervention services in care models with this Corporate Structure.
At the same time, Corstrata has experienced a surge in interest from the ‘tweener’ workforce. Those in nursing that can no longer take the long days and the aggressive physical energy required by the hospital setting, but are willing to extend their time, knowledge, and experience in the workforce for the right environment. In the past, this typically meant moving to a Physician and Specialist office. Today, Corstrata can offer an innovative, rich nursing experience, with attractive pay and work hours.
To learn more…contact Corstrata!