Milledgeville veterans home requests $1.5M to address soaring nurse turnover and care demand

In a recent government meeting focused on appropriations for human resources, significant discussions highlighted the urgent need for funding to address staffing shortages and rising operational costs at Georgia's war veterans homes. A key proposal involved retaining a $250,000 grant aimed at nurse retention, which has become increasingly critical due to alarming turnover rates among nursing staff.

The meeting revealed that the attrition rate for registered nurses at the Milledgeville campus has reached 49%, with licensed professional nurses experiencing a 50% turnover. Even more concerning, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), who play a vital role in patient care, have an astonishing turnover rate of 88.6%. This high turnover has led to substantial overtime costs, totaling approximately $1.2 million over the past year, as facilities struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels.

In addition to the nurse retention funding, officials discussed the need for a $1.5 million increase in state appropriations to keep pace with rising healthcare costs, which have surged by 63% over the last decade. The lack of state funding has forced the veterans homes to reduce their bed count, currently operating at only 54% occupancy, far below the 90% required by the Veterans Administration. This underutilization not only limits care for veterans but also results in lost federal matching funds, estimated at $8.3 million.

The discussions underscored the pressing need for increased state support to ensure that veterans receive the quality care they deserve. As the demand for skilled nursing care continues to rise, the veterans homes are calling for immediate action to secure funding that will stabilize staffing levels and enhance care for Georgia's veterans. The outcomes of this meeting could have lasting implications for the state's commitment to its veteran population, emphasizing the importance of addressing these critical funding gaps.