A Critical Moment for Critical Care: University Leaders Tackle Nursing Shortage, One Graduate at a Time

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Deep within the jungles of Costa Rica, concealed by trees that have been rooted there for generations, you’ll find a group of people with little access to health care. It’s also where Rita Castillo ’24, a recent graduate of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CONHS), found a new appreciation for her field of study.

“It’s very beautiful, but different there,” Castillo said. “I feel like I have more empathy now following this experience. I’ll bring that back to a hospital setting when I’m dealing with families who are going through stressful situations.”

Castillo was part of an annual 10-day trip for nursing students, where they offered medical check-ups to indigenous families in Costa Rica. It’s a trip that not only gives nursing students practical experience but also imparts lessons to last a lifetime.

“Their eyes are open, for sure,” said Leigh Shaver, Assistant Clinical Professor. “The educational benefit is immeasurable anytime you can take a student out of the classroom and place them in a real-world setting.”

Now more than ever, educating the nurses of tomorrow is vital. The nursing profession is experiencing an unprecedented shortage that shows no signs of abating. This lack of nurses will not only impact the quality of patient care but will also have far-reaching effects throughout the entire health care system. According to Nurse.org, Texas is ranked as one of the states with the highest shortage of nurses, with a projected deficit of over 34,000 nurses by 2030.

“Due to an aging patient population, along with population growth of the Corpus Christi community, there is a need for more nurses,” said Gloria Madera, Public Relations Manager for CHRISTUS Health. “It is so important to have partners like Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in our community to help meet that need and train our community’s future nurses.”

Another main driver of nurse insufficiency is the lack of qualified faculty available to educate nursing students. To address this challenge, Texas A&MCorpus Christi is requesting funding during the 88th Texas State Legislature to educate more nurse leaders through its Doctor of Nursing Practice program, who can then, in turn, educate the next generation of nurses.

Proper training is crucial for those in the business of critical care, and Islander faculty take pride in delivering that expertise. Each year, more than 200 Islander nurses graduate — a number that continues to grow, along with the advanced tools used to prepare these future lifesavers.

“The college has a state-of-the-art Simulation and Clinical Learning Center that allows our faculty to simulate scenarios that our students will face in the real world,” said Dr. Hassan Aziz, CONHS Dean. “This allows them to strengthen their skills in a safe environment and prepares highly skilled nurses to join the workforce.”

The college’s 12,000-square-foot “sim lab” can be found on the second floor of Island Hall on the main campus of the Island University. Walking through the center’s doors immediately transports one from an academic environment into what feels like a real critical care facility. The typical elements of an emergency room are present: a hospital bed, monitors for tracking vitals, a crash cart, and other lifesaving instruments. However, these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the available teaching tools.

“We recently purchased an artificialintelligence-powered mannequin named Hal that allows students to diagnose and care for a simulated patient,” Aziz said. “Hal can carry on a conversation and even says things like ‘My stomach hurts.’ He can respond to questions, describe his health situation, shake hands, and show emotion. Hal is as close to real life as it gets.”

Hal can also exhibit stroke symptoms, such as facial drooping and slurred speech, as well as coughing or even a simulated heart attack. Beyond working with Hal, students can also use virtual reality goggles to participate in various procedures, including delivering a baby.

“From neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses to emergency room nurses and beyond, the need for highly skilled nurses is well documented,” Aziz said. “And, providing our students with modern resources as well as a committed faculty helps to ensure that they are ready to provide high-quality health care to the communities they serve.”

The hope is that most of these future nurses will stay and work in Coastal Bend, near their alma mater. These are nurses who are well-prepared, with a 90.05% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Exam. These are nurses who are also wellsupported. Since 2016, thanks to a Health Resources and Services Administration grant, the college has awarded more than $5.2 million in scholarship funds to 441 disadvantaged students, an average of $9,000 per student at 60 students per year.

“With the shortage the industry is currently experiencing, the opportunities for our nursing students are boundless,” said Dr. Elizabeth Loika, Associate Clinical Professor, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and TAMU-CC FNP Program Coordinator. “They can be clinical nurses, hospital nurses, even a military nurse. Islander nursing graduates are eager to embrace diverse nursing experiences.”

Loika knows all too well how dire the nursing shortage is. That’s because she is also a nurse practitioner at Amistad Community Health Center, a nonprofit health facility in Corpus Christi aimed at helping the less fortunate. It’s a place where Loika’s students complete essential clinical hours required for graduation, but more importantly, where they can see firsthand how the skills they’ve learned can positively impact others.

“The life lessons are endless for the students,” Loika said. “Whether they are helping young pregnant women, the elderly, or victims of crime, the students learn how to aid our underserved, vulnerable populations. This experience instills in them a renewed commitment to serving the community after graduation.”

The lesson Castillo took from the jungles of Costa Rica — being of service to others — is the same commitment she continues to uphold right here in Corpus Christi. In October, she began a residency program at Driscoll Children’s Hospital with the goal of becoming a NICU nurse. It’s yet another success story for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, as an Islander alumna plants roots in the community where her health care journey began.

“My family is here and so is my dream job,” Castillo said. “This is where I accomplished my goals, and I am here to stay.”