Sen. Kagan & Del. Peña-Melnyk: Filling the Employment Gaps

Everyone has heard about the Great Resignation. Many have also experienced the repercussions of the crisis-level shortage of health care workers. Nursing has been particularly affected by the ongoing pandemic; the Maryland Hospital Association reports that there are roughly 3,900 open nursing positions – a 50% spike since last August. These vacancies put our families and neighbors at risk of receiving substandard care. A recent study found that nursing shortages have had disastrous impacts on patients, including increased errors and higher death rates.