The Houston area is facing a critical nursing shortage, a crisis that has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased burnout, and high turnover rates. With demand for nurses outpacing supply, hospitals, home healthcare providers, and nursing schools are looking for ways to address the shortage. If left unresolved, the issue could have long-term effects on the quality of patient care, hospital efficiency, and the overall healthcare system in Texas.
Understanding Houston’s Nursing Shortage
The shortage of nurses in Houston and across Texas is not new, but the pandemic accelerated the crisis. Hospitals across the region, including Harris Health System, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, have been struggling to maintain adequate nursing staff.
- Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion – Many nurses left the profession due to exhaustion, stress, and overwhelming patient loads, leading to high turnover.
- Wage Issues and Competitive Markets – Some nurses moved to higher-paying positions in travel nursing, private healthcare, or administrative roles.
- Home Healthcare Shortages – Families that rely on home nurses for medically fragile children and seniors are also seeing a decline in available caregivers, as wages are too low to attract and retain skilled nurses.
- Impact on Patient Care – Hospitals have reported longer wait times, increased patient-to-nurse ratios, and gaps in emergency and specialized care services.
According to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, the state was already projected to have a 60,000-nurse shortage by 2032, a number that has likely increased due to the pandemic’s impact.
How the Nursing Shortage is Affecting Healthcare in Houston
The nursing shortage is putting significant strain on hospitals, clinics, and home healthcare systems, creating an unstable environment for both patients and healthcare workers.
✔ Overcrowding and Longer Wait Times – Houston hospitals, including Harris Health System’s Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Hospital, have had to erect medical tents to handle patient overflow, but due to the nursing shortage, some remain empty because there aren’t enough staff members to care for patients.
✔ Delayed Discharges and Limited Services – Hospitals are keeping patients longer than necessary because of insufficient home healthcare nurses who can take over care. This has led to backlogs and delayed procedures.
✔ Impact on Emergency Care – The shortage has left ERs struggling, with some physicians pleading for more nurses to help manage the patient load. Houston Methodist, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and UT Medical Branch have all requested additional staffing.
✔ More Responsibilities for Remaining Nurses – Nurses face increased workloads and responsibilities, leading to higher stress, burnout, and turnover, worsening the crisis.
✔ Rural Areas Hit Hardest – In smaller Texas towns, hospitals struggle to attract and retain nurses, making it difficult to offer essential services like childbirth programs and maternal care. The Texas Department of Agriculture has launched a Rural Nursing Recruitment and Retention Program to address the issue.
How Houston’s Nursing Schools Are Responding
To combat the shortage, several Houston-area schools and healthcare organizations have developed partnerships, grant programs, and accelerated nursing tracks to increase the number of nurses entering the workforce.
- Harris Health and Lone Star College’s Nursing Partnership
Harris Health System and Lone Star College have partnered to hire nursing students as nurse technicians at Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson hospitals. This allows students to gain hands-on experience while helping to fill staffing shortages.
- Students assist with patient care, learn unit operations, and build time management skills before becoming full-time nurses.
- The program introduces students to hospital environments early, making them more likely to stay in Houston after graduation.
- Students work 1–2 shifts a month and can increase hours during school breaks.
This provides students with financial support while training them to enter the workforce faster—a win-win solution for hospitals and future nurses.
- Memorial Hermann’s Nursing Education Partnerships
Memorial Hermann is partnering with multiple Houston schools to create specialized nursing programs that support working students.
- Houston Community College Pilot Program – Allows Memorial Hermann employees to attend nursing school full-time while working full-time and still maintain benefits.
- UTHealth Houston Scholars Program – Senior BSN students complete all their clinical rotations at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and transition into Professional Student Nurse (PSN) roles.
- St. Thomas University Accelerated Nursing Program (SNAP) – For students with prior bachelor’s degrees, allowing them to complete BSN clinical rotations at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands.
- Sam Houston State University SNAPPI Program – Focuses on expanding faculty placements to accommodate more students, ensuring more nursing graduates enter the workforce.
- The University of Houston’s Push for More Nurse Educators
A key bottleneck in addressing the nursing shortage is the lack of faculty to train new nurses. The University of Houston’s College of Nursing is working to:
- Increase the number of nurse educators through faculty loan repayment programs.
- Encourage practicing nurses to transition into teaching roles.
- Create more scholarships and financial aid for nursing students.
By increasing faculty numbers and educational capacity, Houston schools can train more nurses and meet the rising healthcare demand.
How Affordable Nursing Programs Can Make a Difference
Expanding affordable nursing education can significantly impact Houston’s ability to combat the nursing shortage. Lower tuition costs and more flexible training options make it easier for aspiring nurses to enter the field.
✔ More Scholarships and Grants – Programs like the Texas Nursing Innovation Grant Program (NIGP) help fund nursing schools, increase faculty pay, and expand training programs.
✔ Accelerated BSN Programs – These programs allow students with non-nursing degrees to enter nursing in 12–18 months, helping meet workforce demands faster.
✔ Work-While-You-Train Opportunities – Programs like Lone Star College’s nurse technician program allow students to earn money while gaining experience, making education more accessible.
✔ Employer-Sponsored Nursing Education – Partnerships with HCA Houston Healthcare, Memorial Hermann, and other hospitals allow nurses to train at reduced costs while securing future employment.
✔ Support for Nontraditional Students – Affordable programs are critical for career changers, single parents, and working adults, increasing the number of qualified graduates.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Nursing in Houston
The nursing shortage in Houston is a serious crisis, but initiatives from local schools and healthcare systems are making a difference. By expanding training programs, increasing faculty, and making nursing education more affordable, Houston can build a stronger workforce to meet future healthcare demands.
✔ More academic-hospital partnerships can provide students with real-world experience before they graduate, encouraging them to stay in the profession.
✔ Financial incentives, scholarships, and faculty loan repayment programs can remove barriers for aspiring nurses.
✔ Expanding home healthcare wages can ensure that more families have access to at-home nursing, preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.
✔ Mental health support and burnout prevention programs can retain nurses and improve job satisfaction.
With ongoing efforts from institutions like Lone Star College, UTHealth Houston, and Memorial Hermann, the city is making strides toward addressing the crisis—but continued investment in education and workforce development remains key.
Houston’s healthcare system depends on having a strong, well-trained nursing workforce. The time to act is now.