A Wisconsin Hospital Association Health Care Workforce report says COVID-19 accelerated long-standing trends challenging the state’s health care workers. Association Vice president of Workforce and Clinical Practice, Ann Zenk, says the report details the physical, mental and emotional toll the prolonged stress of the pandemic has taken on Wisconsin’s overburdened health care workforce. Zenk says the report also showed the continued impact of an aging population on the state’s health care workforce. Zenk says the pandemic magnified the impact of shortages in entry-level positions like nursing assistances, practical nurses and technicians. WHA recommends building public-private partnerships to “Grow Our Own” Wisconsin health care workforce, bolster acceptance utilization of telemedicine and technology, and reduce regulatory burden and increase regulatory flexibility.
