Area's healthcare shortages go beyond nursing

America's population explosion can be felt throughout the country. As more people reach retirement age, healthcare facilities face an increasing demand for their services. That need is especially acute in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. - a coastal region that includes some of the fastest-growing areas in the country.

More and more people are choosing one of these five locales as a place to call home. With the influx of citizens comes a demographic that includes an increased number of younger residents, as well as a ballooning older generation. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are already feeling the squeeze in certain occupational areas such as lab technicians, occupational therapists, radiology technicians, sonographers, dietary technicians, physical therapists, mental health technicians, medical record coders and home health aides.

One of the biggest needs for Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C., is pharmacists. Hospitals now have to compete with retail enterprises that are able to offer better hours and better pay. Of course, the most acute shortage in these five regions is nursing, especially in specialty areas like intensive care and emergency room.

Improving the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals - and nurses, in particular - has driven many facilities and organizations to more creative methods. Sign-on bonuses are still being utilized, although many hospitals are discovering that these kinds of incentives only offer short-term relief. Because retention is just as important as - if not more important than - recruitment, state organizations and private enterprises are joining forces to identify ways to make healthcare more appealing to professionals.

For many hospitals and associations, long-term fixes require a true commitment and investment in the future. To that end, internships, tuition reimbursement, mentoring programs and training initiatives are being used to nurture and develop individuals who choose careers in healthcare. One aspect of the profession that is being watched closely is scheduling. Many people are shunning healthcare occupations because of the jobs' round-the-clock nature. By implementing flexible scheduling and getting rid of mandatory overtime, hospitals in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C., are working to give professionals a balance between work and life. - MEGAN FITZGERALD, KARA KITTS and SHERRI PFEIL, Staff Writers