Nigerian nurses are likely to benefit from 3000 job openings in Utah, a state in the United States (US), according to the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.
This shortage could likely cause increased opportunities for immigrants to occupy those roles.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing in the United States (US) earlier listed Utah as the state with the greatest nursing shortage, with 138,000 nurses leaving the field since 2022 due to burnout listed as the major reason.
In addition, almost one in five Utah nurses is approaching retirement age, with 40 percent of nurses planning to leave the field by 2029, making the future of health care in the state potentially challenging
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, further reports that overall, the US needs an additional 1.1 million nurses by 2030 to meet its healthcare needs.
This may not be unconnected to a 2022 McKinsey report, which indicates that the US may face a shortage of up to 450,000 registered nurses by 2025.
The state’s healthcare is reported as strained, which impacts patient care and an increase in travel for services.
As there is an evident demand for healthcare professionals, attraction of nurses to the profession has been proactive, as national and state data reveals that nursing colleges within Utah, and beyond have been collaborating with students training to qualify as registered nurses.
Another challenge lies in retention of nursing staff even though nurses have been encouraged to remain in the field but has proven abortive.
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As reported by KSL news, Michaela Long, a former nurse who worked in northern Utah and left the field after 10 years said, “I know people hear that there is a shortage, and nurses are experiencing burnout, but I really don’t think people truly understand what a problem this is. Nurses are overworked. We’re doing a million jobs to keep patients healthy and safe and we start out loving it. But one nurse leaves, and that increases the burden. Another leaves, increased burden. Then, you have to make a decision. I knew I had to leave.”
The repercussions of not having enough nurses, especially given the fact that the state also does not have enough medical doctors, according to the University of Utah Health Sciences division, are massive, according to medical professionals, including former nurses, in Utah.
According to Long, without enough primary care physicians and registered nurses, residents will have to travel farther distances to seek care, often opting not to seek the care at all, she said.
Long also admitted that doctors may soon have to do the work of nurses, although they are not adequately trained to do the work of dealing with patients for more than five minutes.
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Pathways to becoming a nurse in Utah
Utah’s healthcare sector is bracing for sustained growth, with demand for registered nurses (RNs) projected to rise by 20 percent by the year 2030.
The anticipated expansion of the nursing workforce indicates the urgent need for skilled professionals across hospitals, clinics, and care facilities throughout the state.
As healthcare providers are actively pursuing initiatives to recruit and retain qualified staff in order to meet patient care demands, Southern Utah University (SUU) recently launched an online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programme, designed to upskill existing nurses and prepare graduates for the complexities of modern healthcare.
Aspiring nurses from Nigeria or those already based in the US, will have to complete an accredited nursing qualification, typically an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a BSN. Upon graduation, candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to secure state licensure.
For those already practicing, professional advancement often hinges on further education. SUU’s RN to BSN programme has a flexible online format that allows nurses already working..
According to data from ZipRecruiter, referencing the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for RNs in Utah stands at $79,992. Earnings vary depending on experience, geographical location and healthcare setting, but nurses equipped with a BSN typically command higher salaries.
