Nurses Deserve More Appreciation for In-Person Care

As the nursing shortage deepens, those on the job deserve our gratitude for their human touch, a Norfolk resident argues.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a guest column, Lisa Suhay of Norfolk writes about her appreciation for nurses and other in-person medical staff, especially during her 95-year-old mother's recent emergency room visits. Suhay argues the system needs to better support these frontline workers rather than pushing for more virtual care, as the nursing shortage continues to deepen in Virginia and across the country.

Why it matters

The nursing shortage is a critical issue, with Virginia projected to have a 30% deficit in registered nurses by 2026. Suhay's personal experiences highlight the importance of in-person medical care, especially for elderly and vulnerable patients, and the need to better support and appreciate the nurses and staff who provide this vital human touch.

The details

Suhay writes that during her mother's recent emergency room visits, she has seen firsthand the dedication and care provided by nurses and support staff. She argues the system needs to focus on supporting these frontline workers rather than pushing for more virtual care, which could be detrimental for some patients. Suhay also notes the Trump administration's proposed changes to graduate nursing degrees, which could further exacerbate the nursing shortage by making those programs less affordable.

  • In late 2025 and early 2026, the Trump administration proposed reclassifying graduate nursing degrees as non-professional.
  • Virginia is projected to have a 30% registered nursing shortage by 2026, with a net deficit of 25,670 RNs.
  • Suhay's 95-year-old mother has visited the emergency room three times since Thanksgiving 2025, when she suffered three strokes.

The players

Lisa Suhay

A writer and resident of Norfolk, Virginia.

Dr. Mark Flemmer

A geriatric/internal medicine physician who provided care to Suhay's mother during one of her emergency room visits.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The trouble with old ladies (wink at Mom) is they have a lot of diseases happening in them, but if we hospitalize them for things we know we cannot reasonably treat to their benefit, we do them more harm than good.”

— Dr. Mark Flemmer, Geriatric/Internal Medicine Physician

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical role of nurses and in-person medical staff, especially for elderly and vulnerable patients, and the need to better support these frontline workers as the nursing shortage continues to deepen in Virginia and across the country.