‘Nurses Matter’ New KU Center Launches to Combat Nursing Shortage

Posted August 4, 2023

The University of Kansas School of Nursing aims to address the nursing shortage crisis with the launch of the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center, the university announced Thursday.

The center is designed to develop programs that assist current nurses as well as address shortages of nurses and nursing faculty.

The center will be located at the KU School of Nursing in Kansas City, Kansas, but its purpose will reach statewide.

The dean of KU School of Nursing, Sally L. Maliski, Ph.D. believes the nursing shortage is on track to get worse, furthermore, how entire profession is facing challenges at all levels like never before.

“Statistics show how critical the situation is,” Maliski said. “The Kansas Department of Labor’s 2022 Occupational Outlook report shows that by 2026, we will need more than 28,000 nursing assistants, 18,000 registered nurses and 6,000 home health aides. Rural Kansas hospitals are facing nursing shortages that could mean hospital closures.”

KU School of Nursing has provided budgetary and operational support, and it is anticipated that the center will pursue additional funding, including research and program grants, to support the efforts.

The center will form an advisory board, with plans for additional expansion of the board in subsequent years, according to associate clinical professor at KU School of Nursing, Amy Garcia.

“Nurses matter,” Garcia said. “People trust nurses to be there when they are sick, injured or simply trying to be healthy. Nurses care for us at the beginning and the end of life. Every Kansan should have access to high-quality nursing care. And nurses should have access to the education and support they need to excel in their jobs.”