Triangle hospitals see shortage of nurses as COVID hospitalizations rise

The Duke University Health System needs around 700 nurses to "accommodate both projected turnover and projected expansion projects that will result in additional beds," according to Mary Ann Fuchs, the vice president of patient care and system chief nurse executive for Duke Health.

Duke Health officials claim that this shortage is not related to the recent requirement of COVID-19 vaccinations among staff.

"Most of our staff members have already been vaccinated, and we are confident that the remainder will comply with the new requirement," said Thomas Owens, senior vice president of Duke Health.

After a period of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations declining in the state, hospitalizations are inching back up. Nearly 950 people are hospitalized, which is more than double the number from just two weeks ago. Health officials attribute this rise in cases to the rapidly spreading Delta variant.

“We have been predicting the nursing shortage -- we have been planning for the nursing shortage," she said. “Our need is going up but most schools of nursing are not increasing yet — because it costs money — all of their enrollment.”

One reason that there are fewer nurses in the workforce right now is due to pandemic fatigue.

Crystal Tillman, CEO of the North Carolina Board of Nursing, told WRAL News in December that working under the strain has led to some newer nurses leaving the profession altogether.

“New grads are coming in ... it’s hard enough, but in a pandemic, a lot of them are beginning to leave," she said.

Another factor is a shortage of nursing educators. Tillman said there aren't many people going on to get a master's degree in education.

UNC Health has more than 800 vacant nursing positions across the state.

“This is certainly the highest I have seen in a long time — maybe ever," Madigan said.

In Cumberland County, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center is experiencing "shortages across the board" in its nursing department.

The hospital are aggressively working to hire nurses, both part-time and full-time, health officials said.

“A lot of nurses — young graduates — do come out of school with owning money for their tuition," Madigan said. "We help with that."

“I am so ready. I am so ready to get out there and start working," she said.

UNC Health is hosting the following virtual hiring events: