Kentucky declares nurse staffing state of emergency
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear a state of emergency Dec. 9 in response to the state鈥檚 nursing shortage. His noted the state is operating with 12%-20% fewer nurses than it needs and anticipates a shortage of 16,000 nurses by 2024. The declaration requires Kentucky鈥檚 nursing schools to increase enrollment where possible and report vacant student seats to the state board of nursing. The order also will speed the opening of new nursing school campuses, allow out-of-state nurses to practice in Kentucky and create an advisory board to find other ways of addressing the nursing shortage. Colorado hospitals also they anticipate a staffing shortage and insufficient intensive care beds. (Becker鈥檚 Hospital Review , 12/10/21)