To fill the gaps, he brings in temporary nurses and increases overtime — and has closed more than 20 beds. Limiting admissions significantly curtails revenue, at the same time the facility is shelling out an extra $1.5 million a year to nursing agencies to address chronic staff vacancies. The long hours being asked of existing employees are driving even more out the door.
All six of Romano’s Essex Group Management nursing homes in Massachusetts, in addition to two assisted living facilities and other senior services, are facing similar workforce challenges. He’s raised wages repeatedly, but it hasn’t stopped the bleeding. Requests are coming in nonstop from hospitals seeking placements for elderly patients, but Romano’s centers often can’t take them.
“It’s a death spiral,” he said. “If we don’t get help, we’re going to implode.”
At a time when people have been quitting their jobs at record rates, nursing…
