I am a family NP in the ED at a local children's hospital. I strongly agree with the points Shawn Kennedy made in "The Nursing Crisis in Acute Care" (Editorial, September 2021). As she stated, the nursing crisis was already apparent prior to COVID-19. We are now in danger of losing valuable staff due to unsafe work environments and lack of appreciation. Personally, I have seen many hardworking, experienced ED nurses leave recently for clinic and school positions.

Acute health care requires immense skill and experience. We can only imagine what will happen to ICUs and EDs when experienced nurses leave for nonhospital jobs or leave nursing in general.

I am hoping that there will be some positivity coming out of the pandemic we are facing today. I am hoping that hospitals will realize the importance of retaining experienced and educated nurses and will find ways to do so.

Emily Best, FNP-C

Lafayette, LA