One of NC’s largest psychiatric hospitals faces significant staffing shortages

MORGANTON, N.C. — One of the North Carolina’s largest psychiatric hospitals is facing major staffing shortages.

The new Broughton Hospital in Morganton opened in 2019 after the state spent more than $150 million building it.

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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says the hospital currently employs just over 1000 people, but has hundreds of openings right now. The state blames some of the issues on the implementation of COVID-19 protocols and vacancies in key staff positions such as psychiatry, RNs, healthcare technicians and social workers.

“They can’t keep anybody due to pay, due to staffing, due to people getting hurt and just the unfairness of administration,” said former employee Kayla Wood. “They kind of put us out there and it’s sink or swim.”

>> In the video at the top of the page, Reporter Dave Faherty found out there are more than 300 job openings at the hospital. Faherty speaks with former workers about why there are so many positions open.

(WATCH BELOW: Morganton town leaders still determining what to do with old Broughton hospital buildings)