Mississippi hospitals have about 3,000 total nursing vacancies — equivalent to one-fifth of the state’s entire nursing workforce — according to a recent survey from the Mississippi Hospital Association.

Health care workers, especially nurses, have left the state during the pandemic to better paying jobs with temp companies or hospitals outside of Mississippi. As a result of the shortage and the omicron variant surge, hospitals in the state have been forced to cut capacities by closing beds.

Singing River Health System’s three Gulf Coast hospitals currently have more than 200 nursing vacancies, 50 of which are at Ocean Springs Hospital. The challenges the hospital system faces were highlighted in The New York Times’ Feb. 18 episode of The Daily.

In this photo gallery, Mississippi Today went inside the walls of Ocean Springs Hospital to follow a day in the life of the health care workers and patients there.

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Inside a Mississippi hospital hard-hit by nursing shortage

by Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today
February 22, 2022

<h1>Inside a Mississippi hospital hard-hit by nursing shortage</h1> <p class="byline">by Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today <br />February 22, 2022</p> <p>Mississippi hospitals <a href="https://mississippitoday.org/2022/01/11/mississippi-understaffed-hospital-system-crisis-omicron/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">have about 3,000 total nursing vacancies</a> — equivalent to one-fifth of the state's entire nursing workforce — according to a recent survey from the Mississippi Hospital Association. </p> <p>Health care workers, especially nurses, have left the state during the pandemic to better paying jobs with temp companies or hospitals outside of Mississippi. As a result of the shortage and the omicron variant surge, hospitals in the state have been forced to cut capacities by closing beds. </p> <p>Singing River Health System's three Gulf Coast hospitals currently have more than 200 nursing vacancies, 50 of which are at Ocean Springs Hospital. The challenges the hospital system faces were highlighted in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/18/podcasts/the-daily/covid-nursing-shortages.html?rref=vanity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The New York Times' Feb. 18 episode of The Daily</a>.</p> <p>In this photo gallery, Mississippi Today went inside the walls of Ocean Springs Hospital to follow a day in the life of the health care workers and patients there.</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023978" data-id="1023978" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1477-1200x818.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Lauren McCool checks Hazel Padgett's heartbeat at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024009" data-id="1024009" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A2083-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A hospital bed is placed in front of a wall with a quote from one of Louis Armstrong's songs at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024007" data-id="1024007" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A2064-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Medical lab scientist Rachael Ward tests blood samples at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024006" data-id="1024006" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A2044-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">An encouraging sign is in place inside of the laboratory at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024005" data-id="1024005" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1993-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Medical lab scientist Rachael Ward tests blood samples at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024004" data-id="1024004" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1971-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Covid-19 tests are in place at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024003" data-id="1024003" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1955-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Medical technologist Tori Hobby takes a look at specimen collected from patients at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024002" data-id="1024002" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1943-1200x820.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A balloon floats outside of a Covid-19 patient's room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024001" data-id="1024001" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1935-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A monitor attached to a ventilator for a Covid-19 patient can be seen at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1024000" data-id="1024000" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1903-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurses Cyndy O'Brien, left and Joyce Blankenship discuss nurses salaries while on their break at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023999" data-id="1023999" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1890-1200x792.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Used head gear rests on a cabinet inside of the emergency room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023998" data-id="1023998" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1857-1200x788.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Natalie Shepherd, a surgical tech student, takes a break from her shift at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023996" data-id="1023996" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1826-1200x1799.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Stethoscopes are in place for the medical staff at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023995" data-id="1023995" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1815-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Phlebotomist Shanyce Gaither prepares to collect blood samples from a patient at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023994" data-id="1023994" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1801-1200x804.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs prepares to see a patient at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023993" data-id="1023993" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1776-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Damon Walker, a dialysis patient, prays while in his room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023992" data-id="1023992" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1753-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Patient care assistant Keshia Porter brings Damon Walker, a dialysis patient, to his room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023991" data-id="1023991" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1720-1200x837.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Patient care assistant Keshia Porter brings Damon Walker, a dialysis patient, to his room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023990" data-id="1023990" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1673-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Nurses prepare to gather medications for patients at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023989" data-id="1023989" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1648-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Haley Gibbs looks at a patient's information during her shift at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023988" data-id="1023988" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1625-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurses Haley Gibbs, left, and Dominic Villa look at a patient's chart during their shifts at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023987" data-id="1023987" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1611-1200x830.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Lauren McCool takes a call while at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023986" data-id="1023986" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1582-1200x827.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Lauren McCool talks with Hazel Padgett, a patient at Ocean Springs Hospital, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023982" data-id="1023982" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1538-1200x1560.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Lauren McCool combs Hazel Padgett's hair after checking her vitals at Ocean Springs Hospital, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023981" data-id="1023981" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1527-1200x814.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Lauren McCool talks with Hazel Padgett, a patient at Ocean Springs Hospital, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023980" data-id="1023980" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1512-1200x792.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Lauren McCool checks Hazel Padgett's vitals at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023979" data-id="1023979" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1482-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Lauren McCool checks Hazel Padgett's heartbeat at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023977" data-id="1023977" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1473-1200x800.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurses Jenna Taylor, left, and Allie Black, take a look at a patient's information at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1023975" data-id="1023975" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3X0A1446-1200x812.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Registered nurse Dominic Villa looks at a patient's chart during his shift at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. </figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://mississippitoday.org/2022/02/22/mississippi-singing-river-nursing-shortage/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://mississippitoday.org">Mississippi Today</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MT_square-thumb.jpg?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://mississippitoday.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1024059&amp;ga3=UA-75003810-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p> Copy to Clipboard

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