‘We really have to be innovative’: CHI Health program aims to relieve nurse shortage

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — To solve nurse shortages, hospitals are working to expand their talent pool.

In Nebraska, CHI Health is looking to make sure that nurses are in the areas where they’re needed most.

Its Midwest Internal Travel Program, which started during the pandemic, allows the hospital system to move nurses around, depending on the need.

The program’s assignments are six to 12 weeks long. 

CHI said it helps alleviate the burden of overworked nurses, which also improves patient care. 

“Whenever there are more hands in order to take care of a patient, it equates to safer patient care,” said Bo Vanis, market manager for enterprise staffing with CHI Health.

Nurses are sent to work at CHI’s facilities in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Arizona and Nevada. 

On top of a base salary, the nurses in the program receive stipends to make it a competitive option.  

“We add a 50% differential onto that hourly base rate,” Vanis said.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects that the demand for registered nurses will hit 3.6 million by 2030.

Vanis said to be prepared for that, CHI Health had to come up with creative ideas and programs. 

“We really have to be innovative with our staffing plans and how we really look at travel staffing and float staff,” he said. 

Vanis said the hospital system has seen an uptick in people applying for jobs since the pandemic.