Iowa Nursing Shortage Sparks New Nursing Program at UNI

As I came up through the fire department, I met many amazing people who were top of their game.  Those are the ones you hitch your wagon to because they know what they are doing and can show you the way.  I learned quite a bit by watching them do their thing and when you experience the best, whatever it is, hopefully it rubs off.   

One of my mentors was a flight paramedic for the Maryland State Police.  His wife was a nurse, and I don’t think tacks are as sharp as she was.  Both of them made me sick with how much they knew and how quickly they could answer my questions, ugh, disgusting. I’m pretty sure it was from her I first heard “If you need a doctor, call a nurse.”  Knowing a doctor is great because they’ll tell ya, yeah, go see a doctor.  A nurse will also say that but will tell you how to treat it if they think you’re able to handle it.  If they think you can’t handle it, they will most likely do it for you.   

Nurses are a vital part of medicine, and the shortage is hitting the US hard.  The news isn’t all bad, there could be some light at the end of the tunnel.  The University of Northern Iowa recently held a ribbon cutting for a new nursing facility and welcomed new students in late August.   Here is what the college had to say about the new program. 

Nursing at UNI — Coming Fall 2024!

To meet the urgent need for nurses in Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa recently announced we will add a BSN degree to our lineup of in-demand programs in fall 2024. Nursing at UNI will impact the state of Iowa, as over 90% of UNI students are from Iowa, and an overwhelming majority of UNI graduates take their first job within the state.

There is a nursing shortage in Iowa

Data from the Iowa Board of Nursing says that over 20% of current nurses in Iowa are currently eligible for retirement, while 35% of open nursing positions in the state take over three months to fill. These statistics point to the urgency of getting more students enrolled in healthcare education programs. In addition, data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing indicates that over 8,000 qualified applicants for nursing programs in the Midwest were denied entry last year. 

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How a BSN degree has become one of the fastest-growing majors in Iowa

UNI says "Nurses are the backbone of the United States health care system. This has been especially apparent in the last three years as nurses have been fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for individuals holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN degree) is critical as Iowa and the country face a nursing shortage. Here’s a look at the rising demand for nurses and why you should consider pursuing a career as a nurse."

If you know a nurse thank them for their hard work.  Nursing a drink does not count, I don't think but that could be subject to change.