There is a clear issue in the state of Iowa: Direct Care Workers (DCW) are leaving their positions in large numbers. According to the Iowa Caregivers website, 72% of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) left their jobs in 2022 creating a shortage. The shortage of Direct Care Workers ranges from Certified Nursing Assistants to Patient Care Technicians. Even with the increasing need for direct care workers, the number of workers is dropping. The worker shortage is something the Certification Center is working to address by providing opportunities for those who want a career in helping others. They also encourage individuals undecided about working in healthcare to see how rewarding and worthwhile being a Certified Nursing Assistant or a Home Health Aide can be. I spoke with Dr. Shalome Tonelli, director of the Certification Center, about the Direct Care Worker shortage in Iowa and asked how she and others are working to reverse the shortage in the Hawkeye state. Dr. Tonelli shares how this work is rewarding: “You get to care for others and create human connection.” The work is not always Monday through Friday, which could allow for a flexible schedule. By becoming a Direct Care Worker, people can open doors to other careers in the healthcare field if they have that goal.

According to Dr. Tonelli, retention is a big issue, with more than half of the workers leaving their jobs within a year. The problem stems from COVID-19, according to Dr. Tonelli. During the pandemic, many people decided to retire or leave due to new found stress. Previously, when new CNAs and DCWs started a job, they had informal mentorship and training with someone with more experience. Now, with seasoned professionals leaving, the new incoming Direct Care Workers don’t have anyone to look to for guidance and are left to figure everything out on their own. “We are working to prepare new Direct Care Workers through the training they receive,” says Dr. Tonelli.

The Certification Center at the University of Iowa College of Nursing works alongside community colleges across Iowa to help people become Direct Care Workers and prepare them for their careers ahead. One way to support additional Iowans to become direct care workers, Dr. Tonelli shares, is remote testing. A pilot study will be conducted this month to see if remote testing for students who are in the process of becoming Direct Care Workers will help those who live in rural areas. By allowing remote testing to take place, the intention is that more people can become certified Direct Care Workers and hopefully increase the number of CNAs, Home Health Aides, and Patient Care Technicians.