RALEIGH N.C. — Some hospitals across North Carolina are having to take drastic measures due to nursing shortages, WTVD reported.
Martin General Hospital, located east of Rocky Mount, said it will temporarily suspend operations of its ICU due to the shortage.
Patients are being encouraged to drive an hour and a half away to Greenville, WakeMed, Duke or UNC hospitals for care. But these hospitals are also experiencing nursing shortages themselves.
According to the North Carolina Nursing Association, the shortages could last a decade or longer.
“The shortages are very significant right now, and we actually expect them to get worse,” said Tina Gordon, the North Carolina Nursing Association CEO.
The association said there are also challenges recruiting new workers and limited seats in nursing schools because of faculty availability.
(WATCH BELOW: One of NC’s largest psychiatric hospitals faces significant staffing shortages)
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