Florida’s nursing staff shortage is at a critical point, according to industry leaders who warned that the state’s medical workforce faces a serious crisis.
Theresa Gates, director of clinical operations and helps run Beyond Home, a home health care service in Jacksonville, warned that they don’t have enough staff to care for patients in need.
Gates told WPTV 5 that his company has been forced to refer clients to other agencies due to a shortage of nursing staff.
He noted that nursing homes and hospitals across the state have also felt the strain, with staff working long hours to fill gaps.
During the recent news conference in Tallahassee, leaders of healthcare and hospital associations also warned that the nurse shortage will worsen without help.
Pandemic burnout, early retirement and low wages are fueling the problem, they said.
Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, said the nursing shortfall will reach close to 60,000 by 2035. She hopes that next year lawmakers will help the state avoid that.
“We just need to make sure there is a sense of urgency, as we move through this legislative session, to adopt some strategies that really help provide some relief in the short term,” Mayhew said.
