85% of surveyed nurses strongly believe national licensure—allowing nurses to practice across state lines—would have benefited the country during the pandemic.
A new report finds that 66% of nurses surveyed expressed some level of consideration to leave their profession, signaling long-term impacts to healthcare.
The survey, conducted by Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and Cross Country Healthcare Inc., a provider of workforce solutions and staffing services, identifies the significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on nurse satisfaction levels.
Other key findings include:
- Nearly 37% of nurses identify as being burned out, stressed, and/or overworked.
- Only 32% of nurses are very/completely satisfied with their occupation, compared to 52% prior to the pandemic.
- 29% of nurses say their desire to leave the profession is dramatically higher now versus pre-pandemic, noting the nursing shortage and inadequate staffing levels as top contributors to the low satisfaction.
"On one hand, this research shows us that the pressures for nurses under COVID-19 are significant and likely long-lasting," said Henry "Hank" Drummond, PhD, MDiv, BA, RN, Cross Country Healthcare's senior vice president, chief clinical officer.
"On the other hand, the data is very clear in outlining specific areas that we can improve," he said in a press release.
The survey also identified changes that the surveyed nurses indicated would benefit the profession, such as:
- 97% said pay rate increases and other incentives would attract and retain nurses.
- 58% answered that telehealth should be a cornerstone of care delivery.
- 85% percent responded that cross training must be improved to adapt to crisis events.
- 85% strongly believe national licensure—a multistate license that would allow nurses to practice across state lines—would have greatly benefited the country during the pandemic.
"Our nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and if too many leave or decide not to pursue a career in nursing, the consequences would be catastrophic," said Safiya George, PhD, APRN-BC, FAANP, dean and professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
"Our nurses need solutions, many of them outlined in this research," George said, "that will ease burnout and reduce stress, as well as help them enjoy long-term and satisfying careers."
“Our nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and if too many leave or decide not to pursue a career in nursing, the consequences would be catastrophic.”
Safiya George, PhD, APRN-BC, FAANP, dean and professor, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Carol Davis is the Nursing Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
97% of nurses surveyed said pay rate increases and other incentives would attract and retain nurses.
Nearly 37% of nurses identify as being burned out, stressed, and/or overworked.
The pressures for nurses under COVID-19 are significant and likely long-lasting.