St. Clare Hospital ER nurse Laura Noonan said her day was a bit "nuts" Friday. When she arrived there were already three people who had come in during the night shift at the Baraboo hospital, and the morning continued with a rush of people needing care.
People she helped included a person with chest pain and another suffering from an inflamed pancreas, causing severe pain and nausea. It was her job to make them comfortable and arrange for tests so a doctor had information to diagnose and order treatment for them, she said.
"We do a fair amount of things before the doctor gets in there so their job is easier," said the 20-year nursing veteran.
Wisconsin does not face the level of nursing shortage found in many other states around the country. But, as Americans age and need more medical care, the effort to find nursing staff to fill the demand is becoming more difficult, say hospital managers.
Full Story: Hospitals ponder rising demand for nurses [Portage Daily Register,WI]
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