As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to sweep through the United States, the amount of infections are rising, hospitals are becoming increasingly understaffed, unemployment rates are skyrocketing and many are left wondering what could be done to alleviate our nation’s immediate need for more staffing support. As a solution, health systems across the U.S. have been recruiting retired health workers.
How New York is Recruiting Retired Health Workers
New York is at the epicenter of the COVID-19 with the highest amount of infections in the United States. According to a 2018 report from The Health Care Workforce in New York, the state has about 1,125,239 healthcare positions total, but several health workers on the frontlines are contracting the virus, leaving countless health systems in desperate need to temporarily fill these positions.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is asking retired doctors, nurses and former medical workers to act as a “reserved staff” for facilities who may be in need of assistance down the line. According to the Official Website of New York State, The State Department of Health and the State Education Department have sent letters recruiting retired health workers to sign up for on-call work during the COVID-19 crisis. They also included a Health and Related Professionals survey on their website to collect information from retired health workers, who are ready and willing to support.
How Illinois is Recruiting Retired Health Workers
On Saturday, Match 21, 2020, Governor JP Pritzker discussed his strategy to recruit retired health workers including physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and respiratory care therapists back into health care to assist in the fight against COVID-19.
The Southern Illinoisian reports that part of his strategy includes automatically extending medical licenses that are close to expiration, waiving fees and even expediting licenses so they can rejoin the healthcare workforce as soon as possible. As for practicing medical professionals in areas bordering Illinois, like St. Louis and the Quad cities, the state wants to make it easier for them to travel and help treat Illinois patients in need.
How California is Recruiting Retired Health Workers
As Californians watch the number of COVID-19 infections grow across the country, health workers are preparing for the days to come. Doctors, nurses and physician assistants were in high demand before the COVID-19 pandemic, which is further fueling concern for how they will treat the rising number of infected patients and staff.
Several counties are taking their own unique approach to the staffing health workers. San Mateo County is using social media platforms like Twitter to reach out to retired health workers for assistance. According to NBC Bay Area, San Francisco Mayor, London Breed, intends on expediting the hiring of 100 health workers through invitation-only hiring events where nurses will be hired on-the-spot, instead of the traditional 6-month long hiring process
Reach Retired Health Workers
Katon Direct has a complete database of retired health workers we can recruit to join the fight against COVID-19. Need more staffing support fast? We can help. Get in touch at sayhello@katondirect.com.
