According to Iowa medical officials, there’s a nursing shortage that is quickly turning into a crisis. Colleges are struggling to graduate enough nurses to replace an aging work force. Officials say faculty shortages and low wages contribute to the problem. Iowa Department of Health estimates that Iowa now has 8 percent fewer nurses than is needed. We wanted to see how the Fort Madison Community Hospital is preparing.Fort Madison Community Hospital is at capacity for the amount of nurses it can hire but not for long.All nurses typically start between $38,000 and 40,000. That doesn’t matter if they have a bachelor’s degree or an associates degree, but there are ways of moving up in the company in order to make more money. Incentives are in place to attract nursing students. There are loan scholarship programs for those in financial need. Nursing students have to complete an internship before they can graduate, but they are paid. Read more