A nationwide nursing shortage is no stranger to Geary Community Hospital in Junction City.

The Geary Community Hospital Board of Trustees was informed Tuesday that there is a nursing shortage at GCH. It is a challenge to retain qualified experienced nurses. Some do not want to work nights, weekends or on holidays, while there is local competition for their services. Higher pay elsewhere and moves by some nurses out of the area are also factors.

Dr. Joseph Stratton, Geary Community Hospital CEO, said there has been a nursing shortage at the hospital for about the last two years, and that’s not unique to this area of Kansas. “And so it’s been a struggle and we’re always looking for good nurses, and they’re so important to us. But we have to compete with all the area hospitals and other medical services, as well as Irwin Army Hospital, and the VA Clinic. Some of the nurses have left to go there and I think we probably lost at least six news there. ”

Stratton added it is a struggle. “We just can’t pay the same, and give the same benefits they do through the VA and Irwin Army.”

The Board was informed 34 nurses have left Geary Community Hospital since January. Seventeen percent of those went to Irwin Army or to locations such as the VA Clinic, or to other clinic, radiology or nursing jobs. Seventeen percent moved out of the area, and 12-percent relocated with a military member.