University students trying to find a major might want to consider the nursing profession. There is a shortage of nurses within the University Health System, resulting in the creation of new incentives for those who choose the occupation.
According to Marlene Bond, chief clinical officer for the University Health System, the University has a 10 percent vacancy rate among its nursing staff.
"There is always a turnover because a large percentage of our nurses are either going to school or have a spouse at school," Bond said. The turnover, however, does not result "in a decline in the quality of health care. Absolutely not."
The increased loss of nurses was catalyzed by the enticement of health care clinics. Nurses prefer to work at a day job rather than the difficult night shifts that characterize many hospitals.
"Nursing is a full-time profession," Bond said. "The challenge is to make sure that our salaries and benefits are competitive enough to retain and attract nurses."
As of late October, the entry salary for a full-time nurse within the University health care system was $32,500.
The University has created several incentives to recruit nurses. These bonuses include higher pay for nurses who work longer hours and night shifts, increased flexibility in scheduling, bus rerouting to accommodate nurses' commutes and a cash bonus of $500 to each University nurse who refers a nurse that is hired, Bond said.
"We want people to look at U.Va. and think that it is the best place to work. Retention is key ... they'll want to stay here," she said.
The Health System's "priority is recruitment and retention," Nursing School Prof. Sadie Heath Cabaniss said.
The Nursing School also has institued reforms because it is concerned with recruiting nursing students.
The University began a Distance Program three years ago in response to the shortage, Cabaniss said. The program, which was a joint project with the University's College at Wise, established a grant to teach classes via satellite from the University to the College at Wise.
"We've seen an increase in the number of practitioners in southwest Virginia" as a result, Cabaniss said.
Bond echoed these sentiments.
"There is a scholarship for CNAs [Certified Nursing Assist ants] ... the University will pay full salary as well as tuition [to nursing school] in exchange for one year's full employment in the University hospital," she said.
The graduate student occupancy within the University Health System has increased threefold since 1998.
Although there may be vacancies, Bond reiterates that there "is no situation where the public will be adversely affected."
Read More
Honor Committee considers formal ban of AI detectors as evidence in trials
By Lexie Stadler | YesterdayThe Committee also addressed balancing student perspectives with those of Committee representatives during panel discussions.
Pro-Palestinian protesters form encampment near University Chapel
By CD News Staff | YesterdayThe encampment overlapped with a separate “May Day” protest on the Lawn, which was hosted by student activist group U.Va. Dissenters and the U.Va. Apartheid Divest Coalition.
Another aggravated assault incident reported to UPD
By Thomas Baxter | YesterdayThis is the first community alert of May.
