APPLETON, Wis. — Nurse vacancies continue to challenge Wisconsin’s hospital systems, according to a recent Wisconsin Health Care Workforce report.
In 2023, Wisconsin's overall hospital vacancy rate increased to 9.9%, up from 5.3% just one year before, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Assocation.
WHA also found that by 2030, one out of every five Wisconsinites will be of retirement age. This may make Wisconsin attractive to health care professionals.
For students hoping to fill those jobs, going to nursing school full-time can be tough.
By spending just two or three days a week in Fox Valley Technical College's (FVTC) nursing school, students can earn their associate nursing degree.
FVTC's part-time option helped Amy Boldig achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. Boldig comes from a family of nurses. She said that influenced her dream to become one.
Boldig said she found her passion for nursing after a family tragedy.
"I had a stepsister who was involved in a car accident and became a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down. That was kind of my introduction to health care," Bolding said.
Boldig has been working as a full-time surgical tech for over a decade, but said she wanted to move up in the health care field.
"I've worked as a surgical assistant for the last 10 years, always knowing that eventually, my path was going to progress me onto nursing," Bolding said.
Boldig's pathway to becoming a registered nurse started with getting an associate nursing degree. She started as a full-time student but said her work outside of class made going to school difficult.
"I have four children —12, 13, 14 and then we have a 2-year-old at home. I just recently got married in September, and my husband fell ill in August. So, he is actually not working right now. So we're busy. And I'm, you know, working full-time, sole provider," Boldig said.
She said quitting her full-time job was not an option.
Part-time nursing school is now a choice for her thanks to FVTC.
Barbara Timmons, FVTC’s nursing chairperson, said more and more students wanted fewer days in class, or evening class options. Timmons said in its first year, the program’s already having a positive impact.
"It is increasing the number of graduates to be able to work in the field of nursing," Timmons said.
Timmons also said a continuing demand for health care staff necessitated the part-time learning option.
"Our clinical agencies want more nurses working and graduating, so they can work out in the field," Timmons said.
After two-and-a-half years, Boldig received her associate's degree in nursing. She said she’s happy to finally have a work-life balance.
"I feel like I'll have a lot more time on my hands. I am just excited to get back to going to work every day and going home to my kids," Boldig said.