Moving Past Business as Usual to Meet Future Hospital Staffing Needs.

SUMMARY: Workforce shortages, a dark reality for healthcare organizations even before the arrival of COVID-19, are being exacerbated by the persistent side effects of the pandemic. Burnout, more retirements, opposition to vaccination mandates, and intense competition from other industries are adding to the challenge. Those factors are keenly felt by hospitals and healthcare systems that are located beyond better-resourced major metropolitan areas. Many years will be required to resolve staffing shortfalls, and that work must begin now.Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) is making some noteworthy responses to the healthcare workforce crisis in the Utica, New York, area. Employing a mix of deep appreciation for workers' personal and professional needs-backed by additional financial investment and development of a diverse talent pipeline- MVHS leadership is working to ensure that it will be able to safely deliver care to patients in its communities now and for years to come.