In an attempt to address the shortage, the Arkansas Department of Human Services talks about offering nurses a $5,000 bonus

Little Rock, Arkansas – State representatives are addressing the nursing shortage and talking about ideas to increase healthcare workers’ compensation.

Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam and Deputy Secretary Janet Mann addressed House and Senate Public Health Committees on the recruitment and retention of nurses around the state.

The $5,000 bonus that nurses will be eligible for starting this Friday as part of the state’s retention plan and the $5,000 bonus for new nurses as part of the state’s recruitment plan were explained to the legislators.

More focus on teachers would also be beneficial, according to faculty at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s nursing school.

Finding jobs that provide a lot of support and training is crucial for their recent graduates, according to Sloan Davidson, the director of nursing, who stated that many nurses quit within the first few years due to the stress of the workplace.

“I think the work involved in being a registered nurse is very, very challenging, and the faculty shortage leads to a nursing shortage,” Davidson stated. “Very stressful.”

Due to federal funding allocated for travel nursing as a result of the pandemic, which does pay more than the average long-term nurse position at one institution, travel nursing was also discussed on Monday.

DHS representatives emphasized to lawmakers that they are investigating a more permanent nursing pay scheme and that this work for the state is continuing.