The nursing profession faces significant challenges as the workforce shrinks. Recent survey results from AMN Healthcare reveal 15 percent of nurses working in hospital settings plan to stay in their current positions one year from now. This blog post delves into the survey findings and discusses the implications for the nursing industry. It emphasizes collaborative efforts and systemic changes to support and uplift nurses in their crucial roles.
According to the survey, 85 percent of nurses reported making other career plans, including seeking travel nursing opportunities, considering further education, exploring part-time or per diem work, or leaving the profession entirely. Additionally, a staggering 55 percent of nurses expressed frequent thoughts of quitting. These numbers signify a sudden decline in nurses’ personal and professional views toward their chosen careers, in an urgent need for action.
The ongoing burnout and stress nurses face, exacerbated by the pandemic, have affected their well-by. Percent of surveyed nurses said they plan to leave the profession seven-point impact, marking a seven-percentage point increase since 2021. Job satisfaction is declining, with 80 percent of nurses believing the nursing shortage will worsen before it improves. Furthermore, fewer nurses are actively encouraging others to join the profession.
The survey shed light on the specific areas that require attention to reduce the adverse effects of stress on nurses. Critical suggestions from nurses include:
- Increasing support staff: 90 percent of nurses believe adding more support staff would be a crucial solution.
- Decreasing patient-nurse ratios: 89 percent stressed the importance of reducing the number of patients assigned to each nurse for more manageable workloads.
- Prioritizing salary increases: 87 percent emphasized the need to raise salaries to recognize the value of nurses’ work.
- Ensuring safer work environments: 86 percent highlighted the significance of creating safer environments for nurses.
- Including nurse input in decision-making: 86 percent expressed the importance of hearing nurses’ voices in organizational decision-making processes.
The survey findings highlight the nursing workforce’s challenges, ranging from burnout and stress to declining job satisfaction. Addressing these issues through collaborative efforts, systemic changes, and a collective commitment to supporting and uplifting nurses is imperative. By implementing solutions such as increasing support staff, improving work environments, and valuing nurses’ input, we can work towards a healthier and more sustainable future for the nursing profession.
Here at Sovereign School of Nursing, we are committed to addressing these challenges by providing our students with a supportive learning environment and preparing them for successful careers in nursing. We understand that the nursing workforce is essential to providing quality care to patients, and we are dedicated to training the next generation of nurses who will meet the needs of our healthcare system.
We work together as a profession. We can address the challenges facing the nursing workforce and improve the health of our communities. It’s time for a unified, collaborative effort to reduce stress and moral injury for nurses through systemic, professional, and personal changes. We urge healthcare organizations and policymakers to listen to the needs of nurses and support their efforts to provide the best possible care to patients.
