Few things are more important than access to high-quality health care services. Although most local concerns have recently been focused on facilities, as some have closed or required renovations or replacement, the necessity of adequately staffing facilities that continue to operate can’t be overlooked.

Serious challenges in healthcare staffing have been growing nationwide for a long time and are likely to persist. Recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals can be especially difficult in more rural counties, like Chautauqua, for many reasons.

In addition to concerns about the number of doctors needed to adequately treat all of the patients requiring care, many have expressed worry about an inadequate pool of available Registered Nurses (RNs). In many settings, services that have been provided by nursing personnel without an RN credential, like Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and those holding an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), must soon be handled only by an RN.

One hurdle to finding enough qualified RNs may soon result from the New York State BS in 10 law that took effect on Dec. 18, 2017. The law provides a consistent standard of care and better outcomes for patients. A good law based on solid research findings, it requires future nurses who graduate from a New York State Diploma or Associate Degree program to obtain a Baccalaureate Degree (BS) in Nursing within 10 years of becoming a nurse. RNs who were licensed on or before Dec. 18, 2017, are grandfathered in.

Requirements like this have become necessary because a lot has changed in healthcare. Countless new and improved treatments, advancements in service provision, like easily accessible digitized health records, and the emergence of telemedicine were sped up by the COVID pandemic. These and other dramatic changes have improved patient outcomes while also reducing costs. However, changes like these often require new or updated skills.

We need more people to earn RN credentials if we hope to have local facilities sufficiently staffed. Barriers to earning the RN credential must be reduced or eliminated. Economic barriers can be addressed by grants and other financial assistance. However, access to RN programs, particularly for non-traditional and rural students, can be more problematic.

According to Dr. Prisca Regis-Andrew, SUNY Fredonia attempted to address this issue by developing a BSN to RN program. It was approved for accreditation by the NYS Office of the Professions, but was not approved by SUNY in Albany. It would have provided an easy transition for students entering the program from Jamestown Community College’s nursing program

Earning an advanced degree takes a lot of time and effort. Many students work full-time jobs while enrolled in RN degree programs.

It’s not easy to carve out study time, and even harder if there’s a need to travel great distances to attend in-person classes. While some people learn best in a classroom setting, due to travel requirements, some now feel forced to choose online classes whenever possible.

Julie Morton, Chief Nursing and Compliance Officer at Brooks Memorial Hospital, says it’s already hard to find enough RNs. New RN oversight requirements have resulted in very few LPN positions left in the hospital. Many LPNs now work in skilled nursing positions, often in nursing homes. That means much of the work they used to do in the hospital must now be done by more RNs. The situation is further complicated by the many RNs that left the profession altogether after the COVID pandemic. New virtual nursing opportunities and settings offering more flexible scheduling also make it hard to hire and retain enough RNs in hospitals.

Fortunately, healthcare professions are a great field to enter for those who want to make a huge difference in the lives of others. It doesn’t hurt that most positions are well compensated. Plus, some hospitals, like Brooks, offer great benefits packages with some tuition support for employees working toward an RN credential.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Local Economic Development Committee supports all efforts to encourage more people to enter health care professions. The area needs and appreciates the hard work provided by these dedicated professionals. We rely on them to stay healthy. Our lives often depend on them.

Patty Hammond is Economic Development Coordinator at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The Local Economic Development (LED) Initiative is a standing committee of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF). Send comments or suggestions to Patty Hammond at phammond@nccfoundation.org