Pandemic nurse shortage: Kentucky gov declares an emergency

By BRUCE SCHREINER
Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s governor has declared an emergency over the state’s chronic nursing shortage amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Andy Beshear took executive actions Thursday aimed at boosting enrollment in nurse-training programs. He says Kentucky is projected to need more than 16,000 additional nurses by 2024. His executive order requires the state Board of Nursing to approve requests for enrollment increases from schools that have the resources to accommodate more students. Kentucky’s nurse shortage reflects a national epidemic created by the pandemic. Health leaders say nurses are quitting or retiring, exhausted or demoralized by the crisis. And many are leaving for lucrative temporary jobs with traveling-nurse agencies.