NORWICH – Chenango County’s lower than average pay rate for registered nurses coupled with a nationwide shortage is making it difficult for Public Health Department officials to fill open positions.

The current rate, adopted in 2000, is $16.90 an hour as opposed to the region’s average rate of $19.20. Public Health Director Marcus Flindt recommended that the rate should be bumped up in the near future. “You’ve all heard about the nursing shortage. Well, we really feel like we are getting into it now,” he said.

Despite two months of advertising, the department has been unable to fill one of its 17 nursing positions. Officials predict another four openings by the end of the year, two due to employees finding higher-paying nursing positions elsewhere and two due to retirement.

Labor negotiations between the New York State Nurses Association and Chenango County have been stalled since the current contract for nurses expired in 2004. Supervisor Allan I. Johnson, R-Smithville, asked if the delay was because the two entities could not agree on a time to meet.