Author: Blake Caldwell

New York, NY—In the bustling corridors of skilled nursing facilities across the nation, a largely invisible workforce plays a crucial role in supporting the well-being and recovery of patients. Family caregivers, often unnoticed next to the professional staff, are increasingly becoming the backbone of long-term and post-acute care settings. A recent report showcases the immense, yet often overlooked, contributions made by these individuals who sacrifice time, careers, and their health to care for loved ones. According to a study released by the AARP, an estimated 53 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for adult relatives or friends. These caregivers provide…

New York, NY—In the rapidly changing landscape of the healthcare industry, a new trend is emerging that is fundamentally altering the way nursing staff are employed and deployed across hospitals and health care institutions. Dubbed “the rise of the gig nurse,” this movement towards flexible, on-demand staffing models has ignited a debate between those who see it as a solution to staffing shortages and scheduling inflexibility and those who warn it could lead to chaos in patient care continuity and hospital operations. Amidst a backdrop of nursing shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the appeal of gig nursing for healthcare…

New York, NY—Amid an undeniable staffing crisis that continues to undermine the stability of nursing homes across the United States, industry insiders are beginning to highlight a controversial yet critical perspective: investing in staff retention might be a significantly better strategy than the frequent use of staffing agencies. This shift in mindset comes at a pivotal moment when nursing homes are grappling with the challenges of maintaining consistent, high-quality care in the face of persistent workforce shortages. The reliance on staffing agencies to fill gaps has been a common practice for years; however, recent findings suggest this approach may be…

New York, NY—For countless healthcare professionals who have dedicated their lives to skilled nursing, the decision to leave the field is not just a career change, but an emotional upheaval that reflects broader challenges within the healthcare system. In a profession revered for its dedication to patient care, the increasing emotional toll and burnout are leading many to utter the words “I Quit”—a phrase that carries deep implications both for individual lives and the future of healthcare. The impact of this trend is not just anecdotal. According to a survey conducted by the American Nurses Association, an alarming 92% of…

**New York, NY**—As the health care industry grapples with unprecedented challenges, a growing trend threatens to undermine the stability of nursing home staff across the country. The reliance on temporary workers, often paid considerably more than full-time staff, is leading to a significant rift in the workforce, posing severe long-term consequences for staff retention and care quality in these critical facilities. While the acute shortage of healthcare professionals has pushed many nursing homes to rely on temp agencies to fill gaps, this solution comes with its own set of problems. A recent survey by the American Health Care Association found…

New York, NY—In an unprecedented shift, the skilled nursing sector is witnessing a significant surge in union activity, marking a watershed moment for labor within this critical area of healthcare. The recent mobilization of workers across various nursing homes and long-term care facilities signals a growing demand for better wages, improved working conditions, and greater respect for the essential roles these caregivers play. For decades, skilled nursing staff, such as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs), have been the backbone of long-term care in the United States. However, they have historically been undervalued, facing…

New York, NY—In a striking revelation, the increasing reliance on agency workers within nursing homes has sparked a significant downturn in morale among permanent staff members, casting a shadow over an industry already embroiled in challenges. This shift, experts argue, not only diminishes the quality of patient care but also ignites a troubling cycle of demoralization and demotion among the core staff who form the backbone of these critical care facilities. The integration of agency workers—temporary staff provided by external agencies—into the workforce has been a longstanding practice in various sectors, particularly in healthcare. It’s a strategy often employed to…

New York, NY— The American healthcare landscape is encountering a critical obstruction that jeopardizes both patient care and worker satisfaction in the skilled nursing realm: a pervasive training shortfall. Amid surging demand for healthcare services, especially for the aging population, skilled nursing facilities are struggling to equip their workers with the necessary competencies, potentially setting them up for failure. Experts in the healthcare industry have long emphasized the importance of comprehensive training and continuous education for personnel in skilled nursing. These facilities cater to patients requiring long-term care or rehabilitation services, where personalized and skilled attention is crucial. However, recent…

New York, NY—In a time where healthcare facilities, especially nursing homes, are striving to provide the best care for the nation’s elderly, staffing agencies are playing a pivotal role, albeit controversially. The emerging trend of two-tiered pay systems, facilitated by these agencies, casts a long shadow on the dynamics of nursing home teams, fostering an environment that experts argue could be detrimental to both staff morale and patient care. A recent study by the Health Care Cost Institute found that staffing agency nurses are often paid significantly higher rates than their directly hired counterparts, sometimes as much as 50% more…

New York, NY—Across the United States, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), the bedrock of skilled nursing care, find themselves grappling with financial instability and the perils of a widening pay gap. These frontline healthcare workers, entrusted with the daily care and well-being of the nation’s elderly and disabled, face an alarming disparity that threatens not only their livelihoods but the very fabric of long-term healthcare. A recent report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights this growing concern, noting that the median annual wage for CNAs hovered around $30,830 in 2021, a figure starkly overshadowed by the national average for…