The Student Health and Wellbeing Facility at Oberlin College has seen a significant drop in staff since April, going from seven employees to just three. This reduction has led to challenges in providing consistent services, with reports of unexpected closures and longer wait times for students.
As of November, the staff includes Andrew Oni, the Assistant Vice President for Student Health and Well-being, and two nurse practitioners, one of whom works part-time. Despite the continuous effort to fill roles including a Director of Student Health Services, a registered nurse, and a medical assistant, the facility still faces staffing shortages.
Oni stated that many staff departures were due to personal decisions to pursue other opportunities, a trend that is not isolated to Oberlin. He attributes the staffing crisis to a nationwide shortage of healthcare workers following the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the issue, the center has hired a temporary nurse practitioner set to begin work on December 11 and has increased hours for existing staff.
“Ensuring our students’ health and well-being is our top priority,” said Oni. He emphasized the importance of maintaining service availability during this transitional period.
The Student Health Services offers essential primary care, allowing students to see a nurse practitioner or registered nurse for various health concerns. Appointments are available weekdays, alongside designated walk-in hours.
However, student experiences vary widely. College junior Julia Argilan described her frustration when she visited the facility for a broken medical boot only to find it closed. “When the only resource you have on campus is shut down, it’s really discouraging,” she shared.
Many students have echoed similar sentiments. Lorelei McCarthy noted that although the staff is kind, they often juggle multiple roles, reflecting the strain the facility is under. Emily Zinner recently observed long wait times, despite only two staff members being available to address her concerns.
The staffing issues at Oberlin are part of a larger trend seen in colleges and health providers across the country. Hospitals and clinics everywhere are grappling with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, struggling to recruit and retain qualified staff. According to a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nearly 80% of nursing programs report difficulties in hiring faculty, which potentially impacts the number of nurses entering the workforce.
As the situation unfolds, the Student Health Services team remains committed to raising awareness about their challenges, hoping the community will understand their efforts to recruit new staff and maintain quality care.
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