Staffing shortage prompts shutdown

A skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Kearney, Nebraska, has closed because of staffing shortages.

CHI Good Samaritan has closed a transitional care unit (TCU) located inside the hospital that offered rehabilitation, end-of-life care and medically complex treatment. The SNF was licensed for 22 beds and required 24 staff members but because of workforce challenges could only care for 16 patients.

“Our TCU provides exceptional care and the staff are amazing, however, we simply need more of them,” said Michael Schnieders, CEO of Good Samaritan to the Kearney Hub. “For a while now we’ve been unable to fill open nursing positions.

“It was a hard decision but allows our focus to remain on hospital-based, acute care.”

Good Samaritan currently has 21 openings for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

Schnieders said no other units have closed, but staff have been cross-trained to move around the hospital. The Pediatric Unit now co-exists with the Medical Surgical Unit, so nurses can care for adults when there are no pediatric patients.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.