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ONA proposes changes in
educational loan forgiveness
 The
state of healthcare staffing in Oregon is facing many of the
same problems as the rest of the United States. Nurses are
needed in just about every facet of healthcare - hospitals,
assisted living facilities and home healthcare organizations.
And nurses are not the only professionals in demand; radiology
technicians, pharmacists, ultrasound technicians, physical
therapists and administrative support are just a few of the
positions healthcare organizations are looking hard to fill.
Of
course, much of the talk is about the nursing shortage - and
how to combat the shortage as it begins to advance to a critical
stage. This year, a study, Oregon's Nursing Shortage: A
Public Health Crisis in the Making, conducted by Christine
Tanner, RN, PhD, FAAN, was released. Among the study's major
findings was an emphasis on the need to make improvements
in the practice environment. Unless that happens, the retention
of experienced nurses will be further jeopardized.
Tanner,
an Oregon Nursing Association (ONA) member, and professor
of nursing and director of the Baccalaureate Nursing Program
at Oregon Health & Science University, reports that, "Nurses
believe the environment should be positive, collegial and
that there should be recognition of the importance of clinical
practice from the administrative staff." Simply put, nurses
want their just accolades. Although salary is definitely important,
working conditions prove to be much more of a factor when
looking at retention issues.
The
ONA has proposed changes to the current state of rural loan
forgiveness program. The modifications would allow nurses
who practice in "critical practice shortage areas" to receive
educational loan forgiveness. They have even developed a new
loan forgiveness program for nurses with graduate degrees
who become faculty in Oregon schools of nursing. Offering
both great working conditions and the opportunity for education
are a few of the ways Oregon is attempting to combat the nursing
shortage.
Healthcare
facilities in Oregon are always looking for professionals
to provide the quality of care the citizens of the state deserve.
Along with changes to the educational opportunities and working
condition reforms, the environment in Oregon appeals to both
those professionals who prefer city living and those who prefer
to reside in rural areas. Recreational and cultural activities
abound, so candidates who are considering Oregon have many
opportunities to balance their work life with a healthy dose
of fun. So whether you are a RN, CAN, surgical technologist,
respiratory therapist, lab assistant, administrative support
specialist or any of the other countless professionals needed,
Oregon could be just the place you're looking for.
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