100K Nurses Leave Workforce Due to Burnout, Stress - Survey"
Title: "US Nursing Industry Faces Crisis as 100,000 Registered Nurses Leave Workforce Due to Covid-19 Stress, Burnout, and Retirement"
The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the nursing industry in the United States, with a staggering 100,000 registered nurses leaving the workforce, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The survey also revealed that an additional 610,388 experienced nurses, with an average age of 57, plan to leave the workforce by 2027 due to stress, burnout, or retirement. Another 189,000 nurses with 10 or fewer years of experience and an average age of 36 also plan to leave the industry. These findings are alarming and raise concerns about the future of nursing in the US.
The survey analyzed data from over 29,000 registered and advanced nurses, as well as more than 24,000 licensed practical or vocational nurses across 45 states. The results showed that more than a quarter of those surveyed plan to leave the industry or retire in the next five years. The increased workload during the pandemic was cited by 62% of the nurses as a significant factor, with 50.8% saying they felt emotionally drained at work. Nearly half of the nurses reported feeling fatigued or burnt-out, with these concerns being more prevalent among nurses with less than 10 years of experience.
Maryann Alexander, chief officer of nursing regulation at NCSBN and one of the authors of the study, expressed shock at the findings, especially related to younger nurses. She noted that the industry will soon rely on nurses with less than 10 years of experience to step into roles as mentors, managers, and leaders in nursing care, which could potentially exacerbate the healthcare crisis.
Alexander further stated that while it is common for young nurses to leave the industry to pursue further education, it is uncommon to see them leaving due to stress and burnout, and this is a cause for significant concern. The exhaustion and burnout among nurses were key factors that led to a strike in New York in January, where over 7,000 nurses took to the streets to protest against staffing shortages and burnout.
"We are sick and tired of the hospital only doing the bare minimum," said Danny Fuentes, a union official who spoke during the strike. "Time and time again, we are forced to take unsafe patient loads. We are humans, and we are burnt-out. And we are tired. And the hospital doesn't seem to care. All they see are profits. We don't want to be out here. We would much rather be with our patients. We need a fair contract to protect our patients."
The strike ended when the New York State Nurses Association reached tentative deals with two hospitals, Mount Sinai Health System and Montefiore Health System. The union announced that the deal would provide enforceable "safe staffing ratios" for all inpatient units at these hospitals, with Montefiore agreeing to financial penalties for failing to comply with agreed-upon staffing levels in all units.
The findings of the survey and the recent strike in New York highlight the urgent need for attention to the challenges faced by nurses in the US. Nurses have been on the frontlines of the pandemic, providing critical care to patients while facing immense physical and emotional stress. The increased workload, burnout, and staffing shortages have taken a toll on their mental and physical well-being, leading to a significant exodus from the workforce.
The nursing industry plays a vital role in the healthcare system, and the loss of experienced nurses could have serious consequences for patient care. It is imperative that healthcare organizations and policymakers take immediate action to address the challenges faced by nurses, including implementing strategies to prevent burnout, improving staffing levels, and providing resources and support.