Academic-Practice Partnerships Improve Care for the Permian Basin
It's no secret that nursing and other related healthcare fields face shortages. Filling staffing needs is becoming increasingly difficult nationwide, especially in the Permian Basin. In a 2018 study, the supply of RNs in Texas by 2032 is expected to be in deficit by 57,000 RNs. Vacancy rates across Texas continue to rise, with the latest numbers from hospitals across the state showing over 14,000 open positions. While many initiatives, such as increasing wages, using travel nurses, and creating better work environments, are helpful and long overdue, more emphasis must be placed on retaining and expanding the number of qualified and experienced nurse educators to train future nurses. Nursing faculty shortages and the ability of programs to increase enrollment are of crucial concern to healthcare in the region and state. Last year, over 20,000 qualified applicants were turned away from Texas nursing schools due to a lack of faculty or clinical sites. Midland and Odessa area schools are not immune from this, as most of our nurses are recruited from and graduated within a 50-mile radius.
Midland Health has been innovative in trying to partner with local schools of nursing and other health career schools to not only create a recruiting pipeline but also help facilitate growth and combine resources. Some examples include paid internships for nursing, respiratory therapy, and other disciplines, bridging the gap from the classroom to practice while helping financially support students. Several Midland Health staff hold adjunct faculty or interim leadership roles at the local schools to allow for continued enrollments and, in some cases, increases when it would not be possible otherwise. There are innovative clinical schedules to allow the over 15,000 clinical hour requests we receive in a year for just nursing. Our partnership with MC and MISD has also led to many advances with our Career Technology Programs and Medical Explorers program, creating pathways for high school students to pursue healthcare careers.
When asked about the importance of the Academic partnerships, Dr. Michael Hall, Interim Chair for the School of Nursing at UTPB, shared, "Academic partnerships such as the one between Midland Health and the UTPB School of Nursing are crucial to the success of the school and students. Resources such as faculty, simulation supplies, and clinical support are challenging for any Nursing program to obtain. Midland Health has provided money, faculty, and clinical support for the School of Nursing. The academic partnership between UTPB and Midland Health is a great example of two organizations working together to advance nursing."
Vice President of Midland College, Michael Dixon, expanded on the partnership model. "The partnership between Midland Health and Midland College benefits both institutions and the broader Midland community by fostering the development of highly skilled health professionals. Midland Health goes above and beyond by providing flexible clinical scheduling, preceptors, and expert advice on curriculum and healthcare trends. Midland College is fortunate to have such an ideal partner."
As we enter a new year, we look forward to more opportunities to partner and create advancements in care for the residents of the Permian Basin. Together, Midland Health and our local schools are developing the future of healthcare for generations to come.