Kentucky declares nurse staffing state of emergency

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Dec. 9 in response to the state’s nursing shortage. His executive order 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’s 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 reported they anticipate a staffing shortage and insufficient intensive care beds. (Becker’s Hospital Review article, 12/10/21)