TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Over the past few years, Munson Medical Center has faced a significant nursing shortage. Contributing factors include retirements, career changes, and the burnout caused by the pandemic. However, this issue is not isolated to Munson; it’s a national challenge affecting many healthcare systems across the country.

Innovative recruitment initiative.

Because of this problem, Munson Medical Center has announced a major development in their recruiting efforts that will bring “welcome relief” to their nursing staff which they say has been stretched thin by unfilled positions.

MORE NEWS: Detroit School’s Office of Inspector General Uncovered $3.5M in Fraud in 2023-24

Shelley Spencer, Chief Human Resources Officer and Jennifer Standfest, System Chief Nursing Officer sent out a message saying that Munson has signed a contract with a recruiting agency in the Philippines, aiming to bring up to 200 new nurses to Northern Michigan. The first group of nurses is expected to arrive at Munson Medical Center in the summer of 2025.

Comprehensive recruitment efforts have been exhausted.

Over the past several years, Munson Healthcare has implemented a wide range of strategies to attract nurses, which haven’t been able to solve the staffing problems including:

  • Filling gaps with costly, temporary solutions
  • Actively recruiting outside our immediate region, such as in Detroit and Chicago
  • Hosting Walk-in Wednesdays and other on-the-spot hiring events
  • Collaborating with colleges, high schools, and other partners to expand our nursing team
  • Engaging with Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) and other partners to introduce children to healthcare career pathways at an earlier stage

Expanding recruitment horizons.

Despite these efforts, the supply of nurses has not kept up with demand, necessitating additional measures – so Munson turned their attention internationally, and the Philippines emerged as the ideal source for them due to its reputation for producing exceptional, compassionate nurses.

Spencer and Standfest say that the qualifications of these nurses are equivalent to Munson’s requirements and that the international recruitment strategy has also been successful for other healthcare systems, including Henry Ford Health in downstate Michigan.

Preparing for the new team members.

To ensure the new nurses are set up for success, Munson is actively working with partners to provide local, accessible, and affordable housing and transportation options. The message about this new endeavor says, “This added workforce is a win-win for our Healthcare Team and the communities we serve. In the coming months, we will continue to share more on this endeavor, and we look forward to providing a warm welcome to our new nurses next year.”

A promising future?

in their statement, Spencer and Standfest promise, “In the coming months, Munson will share more details about this initiative and look forward to welcoming our new nurses next year. Additional support is on the way, and we encourage you to review our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.”

What local nurses have to say.

MORE NEWS: Give a Pet a Home for the Holidays at Michigan’s Reduced-Fee Adoption Event

Up North Live spoke to former and current nurses in the area about the plan. One current nurse, whose name has been kept confidential said, “You have local nurses who left the job because of that, and now it’s kind of frustrating that they’re bringing in other nurses.”

Another nurse who had left Munson said, “You’re putting your nursing license on the line when you’re taking on more and more but you were constantly asked to take on more and more…They’re (new nurses) going to face the same challenges that the current nurses are facing. Staffing ratios, lack of affordable housing…”

The broader picture of nursing shortage in Michigan.

The nursing shortage is not unique to Munson Medical Center. Across Michigan, healthcare facilities are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels. In Traverse City, the shortage has been particularly acute. Hospitals and clinics have had to rely heavily on travel nurses and overtime work to fill gaps. The local healthcare infrastructure is under strain, and patient care has been impacted as a result.

However, it’s not just a recent development. A patient that Michigan News Source reached out to who had surgery approximately two years ago concurred with the assessment of the bad staffing ratios that she saw the week she was at Munson recovering. At that time, one of the nursing assistants told her she was taking care of 30 patients on her shift. During the patient’s time in the hospital, the nurses and assistants couldn’t keep up with the medicine dispensing machine alarms, the calls for assistance and the patient’s bathroom wasn’t cleaned for about five days.

Michigan as a whole is grappling with this staffing crisis. According to the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, the state needs thousands of additional nurses to meet current demands. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue, with many nurses leaving the profession due to burnout and stress.

Efforts across the state.

Various initiatives are being implemented statewide to address the shortage. For instance, healthcare systems are increasing their investment in nurse training programs and partnerships with educational institutions. There is also a push to make the profession more attractive through better working conditions and incentives.

The international hiring strategy is a critical step toward alleviating the nursing shortage at Munson Medical Center and beyond. By addressing this issue head-on and implementing comprehensive support systems for their new recruits, they are optimistic about the future of healthcare in Northern Michigan.