Mississippi News

Inside a Mississippi hospital hard-hit by nursing shortage

Published

3 years ago

February 22, 2022

Inside a Mississippi hospital hard-hit by nursing shortage

by Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today
February 22, 2022

Mississippi hospitals have about 3,000 total nursing vacancies — equivalent to one-fifth of the state’s entire nursing workforce — according to a recent survey from the Mississippi Hospital Association.

Health care workers, especially nurses, have left the state during the pandemic to better paying jobs with temp companies or hospitals outside of Mississippi. As a result of the shortage and the omicron variant surge, hospitals in the state have been forced to cut capacities by closing beds.

Singing River Health System’s three Gulf Coast hospitals currently have more than 200 nursing vacancies, 50 of which are at Ocean Springs Hospital. The challenges the hospital system faces were highlighted in The New York Times’ Feb. 18 episode of The Daily.

In this photo gallery, Mississippi Today went inside the walls of Ocean Springs Hospital to follow a day in the life of the health care workers and patients there.

Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs checks Hazel Padgett’s heartbeat at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.
A hospital bed is placed in front of a wall with a quote from one of Louis Armstrong’s songs at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Medical lab scientist Rachael Ward tests blood samples at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
An encouraging sign is in place inside of the laboratory at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Medical lab scientist Rachael Ward tests blood samples at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Covid-19 tests are in place at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Medical technologist Tori Hobby takes a look at specimen collected from patients at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
A balloon floats outside of a Covid-19 patient’s room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
A monitor attached to a ventilator for a Covid-19 patient can be seen at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Registered nurses Cyndy O’Brien, left and Joyce Blankenship discuss nurses salaries while on their break at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Used head gear rests on a cabinet inside of the emergency room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Natalie Shepherd, a surgical tech student, takes a break from her shift at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Stethoscopes are in place for the medical staff at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Phlebotomist Shanyce Gaither prepares to collect blood samples from a patient at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs prepares to see a patient at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Damon Walker, a dialysis patient, prays while in his room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Patient care assistant Keshia Porter brings Damon Walker, a dialysis patient, to his room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Patient care assistant Keshia Porter brings Damon Walker, a dialysis patient, to his room at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Nurses prepare to gather medications for patients at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Registered nurse Haley Gibbs looks at a patient’s information during her shift at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Registered nurses Haley Gibbs, left, and Dominic Villa look at a patient’s chart during their shifts at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs takes a call while at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs talks with Hazel Padgett, a patient at Ocean Springs Hospital, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.
Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs combs Hazel Padgett’s hair after checking her vitals at Ocean Springs Hospital, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.
Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs talks with Hazel Padgett, a patient at Ocean Springs Hospital, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.
Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs checks Hazel Padgett’s vitals at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.
Registered nurse Lauren Gibbs checks Hazel Padgett’s heartbeat at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Padgett was recently hospitalized due to lung problems.
Registered nurses Jenna Taylor, left, and Allie Black, take a look at a patient’s information at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Registered nurse Dominic Villa looks at a patient’s chart during his shift at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related Topics:Health Care Ocean Springs

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Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: August 1-3

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SUMMARY: This weekend (August 1-3) in Mississippi offers diverse activities across the state. In Central Mississippi, enjoy Latin music and salsa at Fondren Fiesta in Jackson, family fun at 042 Nights in Brandon, food trucks in Byram, art exhibitions in Natchez and Jackson, and farmers markets in Jackson, Natchez, and Vicksburg. Special events include hurricane remembrance, back-to-school drives, and community wellness fairs. In the Pine Belt, Hattiesburg hosts Denim & Diamonds Casino Night, live music, themed balls, 5K fundraisers, and movie screenings. Laurel offers karaoke, art workshops, and a family farmers market. Activities cater to all ages, promoting culture, health, and community engagement.

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Mississippi News

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www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-07-25 06:41:00

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Mississippi News

Bryan Kohberger sentenced for murdering four University of Idaho students

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www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-07-23 12:37:00

SUMMARY: Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without parole for the brutal 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to avoid the death penalty. During sentencing, families shared emotional testimonies of loss and anguish. Kohberger, a criminology graduate student, broke into the victims’ home and killed them without known motive, remaining silent at the hearing. Police used DNA and genetic genealogy to identify him. The case deeply affected the community, with misinformation spreading online. Kohberger waived his right to appeal. Some victims’ relatives offered forgiveness and sought answers.

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