Aspirus Working Creatively to Ensure Stable, Capable Workforce
3/30/2023
Industries across the country are still experiencing workforce challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The health care sector is no different. Those challenges were highlighted in the
Wisconsin Hospital Association’s 2023 Workforce Report released March 28.
Aspirus has implemented several initiatives to address workforce shortages such as creating health care career pipeline programs for CNAs, medical assistants and phlebotomists. Aspirus has also incorporated many training programs to help potential employees start their health care career and find a path most meaningful to their work life.
“We understand that a portion of the health care workforce that may have left the industry,” said Deb Ball, Aspirus SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer. “We are working tirelessly to make sure that we have the talent needed to continue to provide patient safety, clinical quality and experience of care that our patients expect from us.”
Programs such as the
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Student Program have been a great success for the system. To date, the program has held 23 total classes in Portage, Rhinelander, Medford, Stevens Point and Wausau. This has led to 120 new CNAs starting their careers with Aspirus across the system.
“The CNA Student Program is awesome because it allows someone to start a new health care career, with paid tuition, a supplemental stipend and a guaranteed position upon course completion,” said Rebecca Knutson, Aspirus Vice President of System Talent Management. “It’s also a feeder for those looking to advance their health career into areas such as nursing.”
WHA’s 19th annual industry report illuminates the impact of a nursing shortage that has reappeared in Wisconsin for the first time since the early 2000s.
To navigate that shortage, Aspirus is working diligently to increase opportunities for new nurses by offering clinical training, hiring bonuses, allowing nurses to work at the top of their licensure and providing clinical skill development programs such as its
New Graduate RN Apprentice Program.
Aspirus also offers
internships for student nurses at all its hospitals in the spring, summer and fall. Internships last 10 weeks and are available in a variety of different units.
Access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services is vital for everyone, and Aspirus is committed to continuing to provide those services to its patients throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.
Anyone interested in joining the Aspirus team can visit its newly redesigned careers website at
careers.aspirus.org to see all its employment opportunities.
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