In the Northern Marianas, the Commonwealth Health Center is now reviewing several applications to replace outgoing nurses at the public hospital.
CHC confirmed yesterday that 17 nurses have resigned due to uncertainties in their retirement contribution as well as other concerns.
CHC is now immediately hiring U.S. citizen nurses, while the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation is scouting for non-resident applicants who may still be on island at this time to fill the void.
The number of nurses at CHC is now down to 157, but CHC vowed to maintain the department's 167 full-time employees.
Due to budget constraints, the hiring of nurses has been capped at 167 since the corporation's takeover in October last year.
The hospital had over 230 nurses in previous years.
