Nursing shortage at NH mental health hospital

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

Nursing shortage delays opening of state mental health unit | Special Reports - Home

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

"Staffing levels weren't the only problem at New Hampshire Hospital. Officials discovered that they were underpaying their nurses"

^That's your problem. It isn't a lack of nurses available for hire. It's low salaries, and likely other drawbacks (such high cost of benefits or poor benefit packages) that make the hospital unable to retain experienced nurses.

"Dartmouth-Hitchcock spends about $10 million a year on traveling nurses, bringing in staff from around the country for short stints."

^This statement proves that there are qualified nurses available in the U.S. Thousands of nurses work in travel and per diem positions because the pay is higher. These nurses don't chose to move to full time openings within a single hospital system because the incentives aren't there.

"Elliot officials also noted that the hospital isn't experiencing a nursing shortage, citing a desirable location and professional opportunities."

Here's your proof that there is no real nursing shortage (meaning a lack of RN's available for hire). A well paying facility offering employees incentives to remain there CAN retain staff.