For example, Fairview has advertised for a weekend night position for four months. Another expensive option, Prentiss said, is hiring a temporary nursing employee from an employment agency. According to Sue Gentert, GSV's human resource coordinator, the search for employees now has to be taken one step further than advertising, with measures like contacting schools directly. Even then, she said, the number of candidates entering the profession is down. Valentine said she relies on a dedicated group of employees.
Wages are one barrier in finding and keeping workers.
Villa Grace and Perkins have about 250 residents. A registered nurse may start out higher based on the position and experience, she said. The administrators said they are not sure money would fix the labor problem. With Nebraska's unemployment rate hovering at about 2 percent, the employees just are not out there, they said. And the 2 percent who are unemployed generally do not want to work, Scheil said.