UT Permian Basin addresses healthcare workforce shortage and seeks permanent leadership

In a recent meeting of the Texas Board of Nursing, the pressing issue of healthcare workforce shortages in the Permian Basin took center stage. The president of the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), who has served in the role for eight years, emphasized the critical need for qualified healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, to support the region's booming energy economy.

With the energy sector's growth, the demand for healthcare workers has surged, prompting significant investments from local oil and gas companies and foundations into nursing programs at UTPB. These funds are aimed at scholarships and marketing efforts to attract students to the nursing field. The president expressed a deep commitment to improving educational outcomes, highlighting ongoing efforts to address blind spots in the program and enhance student support.

The meeting also featured insights from faculty members who noted substantial improvements in student engagement and learning outcomes. One faculty member shared her experience transitioning from adjunct to full-time status, praising the hands-on approach taken in nursing education, which includes direct interaction with students during labs and post-conference discussions.

Board members raised questions about recruitment strategies for nursing students, particularly regarding the freshman seminar course designed to identify prospective nursing candidates. The university clarified that all incoming freshmen are required to take this seminar, which will focus specifically on healthcare and nursing.

Concerns were voiced about the ongoing challenge of securing permanent leadership for the nursing program. The president acknowledged the difficulty in attracting candidates to the Permian Basin, a common hurdle in recruitment efforts. Despite these challenges, the university is actively seeking qualified individuals for key positions, with support from the University of Texas system to facilitate the search and offer relocation assistance.

As the meeting concluded, the board members expressed optimism about the university's direction and commitment to addressing the healthcare workforce crisis. The discussions underscored the importance of strong leadership and innovative educational strategies in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to meet the needs of the community.