Health department seeks to convert two part-time nursing slots into one full-time position

Adams County health officials asked commissioners to support combining two part-time nurse positions into a single full-time position to improve staffing stability and coverage.

Holly, who identified herself as the county nurse at one site, told commissioners she frequently is the only nurse on duty and that staffing gaps have forced her to cover shifts on days off. “I'm the only nurse there. I had the day off. I had I probably worked. I didn't charge the county,” she said, describing how current part-time staffing leaves clinics short when staff take time off.

Members of the board and the county health board voiced support for converting two part-time positions into one full-time role. A commissioner noted the county previously budgeted a full-time nurse under the Health First Indiana (HFI) program and said, “it is in the HFI, the Health First Indiana. It is a budgeted for a full time nurse.” Commissioners said combining part-time positions could help retain staff and reduce turnover, though they also noted that the current HFI funding has been reduced for the following year and benefits costs would need review.

County staff said the change would follow the usual personnel process: commissioners would need to approve converting and funding the positions, and human resources would handle classification, posting and hiring. No formal vote to create the full-time position was recorded; the board asked Holly and HR staff to work through the process and return with a formal recommendation.

What’s next: county HR and health staff will draft the proposal and funding plan to present to commissioners for formal approval. Commissioners indicated they are supportive in principle but will need a formal request showing funding and classification details before taking action.