Nursing Home Staff Shortage Worse in Southeast Minnesota

ROCHESTER (AP) - A staffing shortage at Minnesota nursing homes is hitting the southeast part of the state particularly hard.

Hiring at the Rochester-based Mayo Clinic is making it hard for nursing homes to keep staff from leaving for higher-paying positions.

Nursing homes across Minnesota face a similar challenge as they try to keep nurses from leaving for jobs with better pay, often at hospitals. Care Providers of Minnesota President Patti Cullen says the problem is particularly bad in southeast Minnesota because of Mayo's large presence.

Mayo Chief Nursing Officer Pamela Johnson said in an email that hiring has been "much more robust" recently with more staffers retiring.

Owners of nursing homes have asked that legislators change how facilities get reimbursed so that they have more money to recruit and retain workers.