Johnson City, Tenn.-based Ballad Health will invest $10 million to increase pay for several thousand nurses across the health system, according to the Kingsport Times News.
The raises were announced in an email from Ballad Health Chairman, President and CEO Alan Levine. The annualized increases will go to acute care registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants who work in inpatient care, scrub techs, long-term licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, behavioral health techs and medical assistants.
"These areas of focus have been most impacted by the national shortages of health manpower, and have consistently shown the greatest number of vacancies throughout the nation, and certainly our experience is no different here," Mr. Levine told the Kingston Times. "We compete heavily for these professionals and must continue to do so."
Pay increases for existing nurses will take effect June 23. The starting hourly rate for new nurse hires also will increase.
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