90% of Healthcare Executives Think The Nurse Shortage Will Worsen
90% of Health Leaders Predict Intensifying Nurse Deficit
We must grasp the challenges both nurses and healthcare executives face. While we’ve addressed issues affecting a million nurses nationwide, understanding the viewpoints of healthcare leaders is equally crucial to fully comprehend workforce issues in healthcare.
Today, we provide insights into healthcare challenges from over 100 US healthcare executives and exclusive data from more than 1500 US hospitals.
The findings paint a worrisome picture: 90% of healthcare leaders surveyed anticipate the nurse shortage will worsen in the coming years. With the U.S. facing a projected shortfall of one million nurses by 2030, this scenario is troubling. However, there’s a silver lining. This year’s report suggests a promising path forward, presenting opportunities for positive change and support for nurses nationwide.
Understanding the Situation
The strain on nurses is undeniable, exacerbated by hiring and retention challenges. Only 32% of health executives are content with current patient-to-staff ratios, and a staggering 78% feel unprepared for a large-scale health crisis.
Furthermore, executives report that recruiting medical surgical, OR/perioperative, critical care, and emergency nurses is particularly challenging. On Goodwork the demand for medical surgical roles has grown significantly. In the past two years, new graduates have been sent to specialized units, leading to understaffing in medical surgical departments.
Inadequate staffing (43%) and a shortage of new nurses entering the field (37%) are identified as the primary industry concerns.
Tackling Burnout and Workplace Violence
Burnout and workplace violence significantly contribute to the current nurse shortfall. According to our 2024 US Nursing Report, 46% of nurses cite burnout as their main reason for leaving, and 26% are likely to exit due to workplace violence. These statistics highlight critical intervention areas for healthcare systems.
Healthcare leaders are increasingly aware of these issues. 66% have noticed a rise in verbal and/or physical assaults on nurses by patients or their families in the past year and are implementing measures to improve nurse experiences. From zero-tolerance policies for workplace violence to investing in security systems that help nurses alert others in danger, proactive measures are underway to ensure a safer and more supportive workplace. To combat burnout, top strategies for retention include:
Raising nurse salaries (36%)
Providing career advancement opportunities (20%)
Offering retention incentives (11%)
Paths to Progress
One encouraging aspect of this year’s report is the alignment between what nurses need and what healthcare leaders can offer. For example, salary increases are identified as one of the most effective ways to attract and retain nurses. More than 40% of healthcare executives have raised nurse salaries in the past year, directly addressing the concern of 64% of nurses who feel underpaid.
Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), are also proving beneficial. Over half (54%) of healthcare leaders are exploring AI to reduce administrative tasks that lead to nurse burnout. By streamlining scheduling and operational processes, AI enables nurses to focus on patient care. The positive impact of generative AI on nurses and healthcare systems is noteworthy:
Currently, 47% of healthcare executives use AI for scheduling and administrative tasks, with 22% believing AI will enhance shift scheduling.
More than half (53%) of healthcare executives encourage team members to use AI for boosting operational efficiency within their health system.
Only 12% of healthcare executives reported nurses using AI for recommending patient care.
A Collaborative Approach
A healthcare leader emphasizes the collective effort needed to address the nurse shortage:
Healthcare professionals, including nurses, play a vital role not just in hospitals but nationwide. Our primary focus is to staff our facilities adequately to ensure excellent patient care outcomes. We are proactively implementing innovative initiatives to empower our teams. However, the ongoing nurse recruitment challenge remains a significant issue for every hospital. We appreciate those partnering with us, highlighting the advancements and challenges hospitals and health systems face today.
This partnership to support healthcare professionals, aided by likeminded organizations, is essential in shaping the future of nursing. By focusing on challenges and solutions for improving nurses’ lives, we can work together to create a more stable and supportive healthcare system.
Looking Forward
While the nursing shortage remains a pressing challenge, the initiatives and actions taken by healthcare leaders offer hope. The growing alignment between what nurses need and what healthcare executives can provide, along with embracing new technologies, offers a path to a brighter future.
If your hospital seeks improved strategies to hire and retain nurses, consider the remarkable options available. Goodwork's innovative marketplace technology supports talent acquisition and nursing teams in securing permanent, experienced nurses in 19 days or less, allowing facilities to save millions annually per facility, and enhancing nurse retention rates.
