Nursing homes continue to struggle with staffing issues Problem began before pandemic but has worsened since, officials say Share Updated: 6:54 PM EDT Jun 28, 2021 Problem began before pandemic but has worsened since, officials say Share Updated: 6:54 PM EDT Jun 28, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript TO THIS FIELD. >> I THINK WE ARE IN A RLEA JAM HERE, AND HOPEFULLY WE C WANORK OUT SOME INNOVATIVE WAYS TO GET OUT OF IT. ANDY: BRENDAN WILLIAMS OF THE NEW HASHMPIRE HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS ABOUT 60 NURSING HOMES IN THE STATE. HE SAYS FINDING HELP FOR THOSE FACILITIES IS DIFFICULT ACROSS TH BOARD, AND DOESN’T SEE THE PROBLEM GETTING BETTER ANYTIME SOON. >> FOR WHATEVER REASON, EVEN PRIOR TOHE T PANDEMIC, OUR STATE SAW A NET LOSS OF LICENSED NURSING ASSISTANTS. NOT AVAILABLE JUST TO NURNGSI HOMES BUT ALSO TO HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS, HOMED CARE SETTINGS. SO IT’S BEEN A REAL PROBLEM HERE. ANDY: WILLIAMS SAY FACILIESTI ARE EVEN HAVING TROUBLE FINDING HOUSEKEEPERS AND DIETARY WORKERS, BECAUSE NOWURNG N HOMES ARE IN COMPETITION WITH A REBOUNDING SERVICE ECOMYNO THAT’S OFFERING BETR TEPAYING JOBS THAT REQUIRE LESS TRAING.IN >> WHAT WE’VE SEEN HISTORICALLY IS NEW GRADUATES FROM NURSING PROGRAMS DON’T GO INTO LONG TMER CARE NURSING BECAUSE TY NTHE TO FOCUS MORE ON THE ACUTE CARE SETTING WORKING IN HOSPITALS. ANDY: CRAIG LABORE SAYS THE GRAFTON COUNTY NURSING HOME IS OPERATING WITH ABOUT 20% FEREW NURSES, BUT SAYS THAT’S BEEN OFFSET SINCE THEY ARE ONLY RUNNING AT ABOUT 70% CAPACITY. THINK WHAT WE’VE SEEN IS TTHA AS OUR NURSING STAFF, WE DON’T HAVE NEW NURSES COMING INTO LONG TERM CARE. SO I THINK OUR NURSES THAT WE DO HAVE GET TO RETIREMENT AGE THERE ISN’T ANYBODY COMING IN TO FILL THOSE POSITI ANDY: WILLIAMS SAID PEOPLE N’TDO GET INTO THE NURSING HOME FIELD TO GET RICH BUT THEY ALSO DON'