An aging workforce, burnout from the pandemic, and more competitive salaries elsewhere are contributing to a shortage of nurses in rural areas like Moab. And here, a lack of housing is preventing hiring from outside the community. Today on the news, a report on this trend and its impact on local healthcare. Plus, a town in our region is hoping to ease the housing crunch by purchasing a hotel and converting it into apartment units.

And later, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Carter Pape of The Times-Independent (11:00) discusses the county’s new electoral districts and an overnight lodging application for stargazers. He also reflects on his time as a reporter in Moab. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News (20:00) discusses the Moab Free Health Clinic’s expanded offerings, a new monologue competition, and the return of Science Moab on Tap.

Show Notes:

Photo: There are over 20 open positions on Moab Regional Hospital's website, and more than half are for nurses. The Health Resources and Services Administration says rural regions make up 60 percent of those facing shortages of health professionals.

NRHA: Health Care Workforce Distribution and Shortage Issues in Rural America

https://www.ruralhealth.us/getattachment/Advocate/Policy-Documents/HealthCareWorkforceDistributionandShortageJanuary2012.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

PEW: Rural Hospitals Can’t Find the Nurses They Need to Fight COVID

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/09/01/rural-hospitals-cant-find-the-nurses-they-need-to-fight-covid

The Washington Post: As covid persists, nurses are leaving staff jobs - and tripling their salaries as travelers

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/covid-travel-nurses/2021/12/05/550b15fc-4c71-11ec-a1b9-9f12bd39487a_story.html

Moab Regional Hospital: Recruitee

https://mrhmoab.recruitee.com

KSUT: Durango looks to buy a hotel and convert it into affordable and transitional housing

https://www.ksut.org/news/2021-11-23/durango-looks-to-buy-a-hotel-and-convert-it-into-affordable-and-transitional-housing

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: County approves new electoral districts

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/county-approves-new-electoral-districts/

The Times-Independent: Public Weighs in on Overnight Lodging Addition

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/public-weighs-in-on-overnight-lodging-addition/

The Times-Independent (opinion): Moab needs better ideas. Here’s how to come up with them.

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-needs-better-ideas-heres-how-to-come-up-with-them/

Moab Sun News: Free Health Clinic expands offerings – Community outreach system, dental clinic, diabetes specialist now available

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_fa4e69f4-592a-11ec-b84b-03a85ae103d9.html

Moab Sun News: Local to host first Moab Monologue competition

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_9c955dba-592d-11ec-ae8f-ebba0cd4cdc6.html

Moab Sun News: Conservation scientist Joel Berger kicks new series of Science Moab on Tap

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_e7f6526e-592d-11ec-98cd-0fcf5d004d19.html