From the Archives: Oklahoma nurse shortage
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — As Channel 4 celebrates its 75th anniversary, we are opening our film vault.
In 1979, Oklahoma was grappling with a shortage of nurses.
Hospitals came up with new incentive programs to lure candidates to the field.
One incentive was to offer $25 in cash when an Registered Nurse (RN) or LPN is hired.
AS CHANNEL 4 CELEBRATES ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY, WE’RE OPENING OUR FILM VAULT.
IN 1979 OKLAHOMA WAS GRAPPLING WITH A SHORTAGE OF NURSES.
HOSPITALS CAME UP WITH NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAMS TO LURE CANDIDATES.
“Whereby we offer $25 in cash when an RN or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is hired.”
That did little to recruit new nurses.
Over the next two years, nursing pay increased 15-to-20 percent.
That move did help ease the staffing crisis, for the time-being.
Forever preserved in the WKY/KTVY/KFOR Channel 4 archives.