COVID-19 fueled the nursing shortage but also inspired a new generation of nurses

On a Friday in late October, Andrew Pierle and Christian Tarantola were learning how to place a patient in restraints.

Their instructor, Rachel Ngo-Oum, explained that this may be required if a patient is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.

Pierle and Tarantola are both in their first semester of an accelerated program for people who are switching to nursing from a different career.