Health Officials Survey Providers to Address Workforce Challenges
State health officials are set to send out questionnaires to licensed healthcare providers from various fields. This initiative aims to gain insights into workforce challenges and understand career advancement aspirations.
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein announced on Wednesday, “We’re launching surveys for all health professionals licensed by the Department of Public Health, which includes 22 different boards.” As part of the re-licensure process, these questionnaires will inquire about providers’ future plans in the industry. Questions will focus on whether they intend to remain in their roles and their interest in growth opportunities, as well as the reasons behind any potential career changes.
Goldstein highlighted that the Department of Public Health (DPH) is collaborating with the Center for Health Information and Analysis to gather this data. This comes at a time when many healthcare workers are facing issues like burnout, heavy patient loads, cumbersome administrative tasks, and pay disputes. The DPH oversees various boards, including those for nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and social work, among others.
“Our goal is to use this information to shape policies that create a better work environment,” Goldstein shared with the Public Health Council. “We want to encourage professionals to stay in their jobs, remain in Massachusetts, or advance further in their careers.” He added that the first phase of the survey focused mainly on nursing to understand the educational pathways from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP).
A recent survey from the Massachusetts Nurses Association revealed that around 16% of nurses plan to leave the profession within two years, with another 18% considering departure within three to five years. The respondents pointed to challenges such as understaffing, lack of time for patient care, and concerns about workplace violence as key factors in their decision-making.
Additionally, Goldstein mentioned that the Board of Registration in Nursing is working on implementing the Nurse Licensure Compact, which is part of the state’s 2024 economic development law. This compact would allow nurses licensed in states like Rhode Island or Connecticut to work in Massachusetts with ease. “We hope this compact will help strengthen and expand our nursing workforce,” Goldstein concluded.
