June 2025 President’s Message

Nursing shortage a local, national challenge

by Jany Moussa, MD —

One of the most pressing challenges facing our healthcare system — in Sedgwick County and across the nation — is the growing shortage of nurses. This crisis is already straining our hospi­tals, clinics and long-term care facilities, and its effects are being felt by physicians and patients alike.

As medical professionals, we rely on nurses not only for tech­nical skills but also for the compassion and continuity of care they bring to the bedside. When they are stretched too thin, the entire system suffers.

The scope of the crisis

• The challenge is large and growing, according to a 2024 report from the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center:
• 29% of RNs and 23% of LPNs in Kansas plan to retire within the next five years.
• Nursing school enrollment has dropped 39% over the past decade.
• 36% of Kansas RNs work more than 40 hours per week.
• 74% of unemployed RNs cite family care duties (compared with 47% nationally).
• Sedgwick County’s population grew 5.1% since 2010 — increasing local demand.

Nursing education opportunities in Wichita

Wichita is home to several nursing programs that are instrumen­tal in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. Here’s a snapshot of the key institutions:

• Wichita State University School of Nursing — BSN, Acceler­ated BSN, RN-to-BSN and dual-degree Pathway to Nursing
• Galen College of Nursing – Wichita Campus — ADN, LPN/LVN-to-ADN Bridge, Online RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP
• WSU Tech — Practical Nursing Certificate, ADN, LPN-to-ADN Bridge
• Newman University — BSN, RN-to-BSN
• Butler Community College — ADN, LPN-to-RN

These programs are vital to solving the nursing shortage. We must advocate for their support and growth through clinical part­nerships, faculty investment and statewide collaboration.

How MSSC can support nursing schools

As the Medical Society of Sedgwick County, we are in a unique position to actively support and strengthen the nursing education pipeline in Wichita. Current MSSC President-elect Chady Sarraf, along with 2026 President-elect Katie Rosell and MSSC Executive Director Phillip Brownlee, is forming a focus group with nursing students and educators to identify ways MSSC can make a differ­ence. Some of the possibilities include:

• Expand clinical training: Encourage physician members to precept or host nursing students in clinics and practices. Advocate for additional clinical sites across specialties.
• Advocate for funding and policy: Support legislation that ex­pands nursing school capacity, raises educator salaries and funds scholarships for nurses committing to serve in Kansas.
• Establish scholarships: Consider launching an MSSC nurs­ing scholarship to support local students who plan to practice in our community.
• Promote collaboration: Host interprofessional workshops, simu­lation training and shared CME opportunities to foster collabo­ration between nurses and physicians from training onward.
• Celebrate and highlight nurses: Spotlight local nursing students, educators and programs. Recognize their essential role in healthcare delivery.
• Publish and advocate with data: Share the impact of nurse staffing on patient care and health outcomes. Partner with nursing leaders for joint statements and advocacy initiatives.

By investing in our nursing education infrastructure, we invest in the future stability, safety and success of healthcare in Sedg­wick County. Let’s lead by example and help build the team-based workforce our patients deserve.

What can we do?

• Strengthen the education pipeline: Support schools with resources, faculty and clinical opportunities.
• Retain the workforce: Promote workplace culture, decision-making inclusion and wellness.
• Advocate for smart policy: Streamline licensing and support safe staffing laws.
• Embrace innovative models: Use team-based care and technology-enabled support.

A call to action

This is a solvable problem — but only if we act together. As physicians, educators and leaders, we must support our nursing colleagues and help shape policy for long-term solutions.

Let’s use our voice and our position as a medical society to bring visibility and drive.