Wakefield Health Care Center and the
Nebraska Health Careers Pipeline Initiative

More than 20,000 Nebraskans rely on one of the state’s 466 nursing homes and assisted living facilities for care, yet 44 have closed since 2020 due to workforce shortages – leaving 23 counties without a nursing home. To help address this crisis, the Nebraska Health Care Foundation, a CHAD agency, partners in the Nebraska Health Careers Pipeline Initiative.

 Since launching in 2024, the initiative has introduced 3,100 youth in grades 3-12 to healthcare careers. The initiative’s Health Care Heroes curriculum is used in afterschool and summer programs across Nebraska, with healthcare providers offering tours, shadowing, and guest presentations. As students gain comfort in care settings, their interest in healthcare careers grows.                 

“Our goal in participating in the Nebraska Health Careers Pipeline is to inspire the next generation of health care professionals by showcasing the diverse career paths available in nursing homes and assisted living communities,” said Traci Haglund, administrator of Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield, Neb. “Our partnership with the school has increased our visibility with students and we have a steady stream of applications coming in.”