The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a long shadow over numerous sectors, and perhaps none more critically than healthcare. New research has brought to light the significant strain placed upon the nursing workforce, a cornerstone of health-care-related programs that have been developed and refined over almost a century. A groundbreaking study titled “Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Burnout & Stress Among U.S. Nurses,” unveiled by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), paints a concerning picture of a profession at its breaking point. This research, presented at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., reveals the depth of the crisis and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to safeguard the future of nursing and, by extension, the entire health care system.
The Alarming Exodus of Nurses from Health-Care-Related Programs
For decades, health-care-related programs in the US have relied on a robust and dedicated nursing workforce. However, the NCSBN study exposes a worrying trend: a mass departure of registered nurses (RNs). The findings indicate that approximately 100,000 RNs left the profession during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. This exodus is not merely due to retirement, but significantly fueled by escalating stress and burnout directly linked to the unprecedented pressures of the pandemic.
Adding to this immediate loss, the research projects an even more substantial future deficit. A staggering 610,388 RNs have reported an “intent to leave” the workforce by 2027. This looming departure is particularly pronounced among younger nurses, with 188,962 RNs under the age of 40 expressing similar intentions. Collectively, these figures suggest that almost one-fifth of the nation’s RNs are poised to leave health-care-related programs, creating a critical void in a system already stretched thin. This represents a significant threat to the continuity and quality of health-care-related programs Americans have come to expect.
Pandemic Pressures: Workload and Emotional Strain in Health-Care-Related Programs
The NCSBN study delves into the factors driving this nursing workforce crisis, highlighting the immense pressure nurses faced during the pandemic within health-care-related programs. A striking 62% of nurses reported a significant increase in their workload. This surge in demand, coupled with the inherent emotional toll of caring for patients during a global health crisis, has led to widespread burnout and emotional exhaustion.
The research reveals the stark reality of daily struggles faced by nurses:
- Emotional Exhaustion: 50.8% reported feeling emotionally drained “a few times a week” or “every day.”
- Feeling Used Up: 56.4% felt used up at similar frequencies.
- Fatigue: 49.7% experienced fatigue regularly.
- Burnout: 45.1% reported feeling burned out.
- Feeling at the End of the Rope: 29.4% felt they were at the end of their rope.
These deeply concerning statistics underscore the immense personal cost borne by nurses working within health-care-related programs throughout the pandemic. The impact is particularly acute among nurses with less experience (10 years or fewer), contributing to an overall 3.3% decrease in the US nursing workforce in just two years. Furthermore, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, crucial to long-term care settings and vulnerable populations within health-care-related programs, have seen a decline of 33,811 since the pandemic’s onset, a trend that continues to worsen.
A Crossroads for Nursing and the Future of Health-Care-Related Programs
The NCSBN research unequivocally points to a critical juncture for nursing and, consequently, for the future of health-care-related programs in the United States. The pandemic has amplified pre-existing strains on the nursing workforce, accelerating burnout and prompting many to reconsider their career paths. This crisis is further compounded by disruptions in nursing education programs, raising concerns about the preparedness of new graduates entering health-care-related programs.
Maryann Alexander, PhD, RN, FAAN, NCSBN Chief Officer of Nursing Regulation, aptly summarizes the urgency: “The data is clear: the future of nursing and of the U.S. health care ecosystem is at an urgent crossroads.” She emphasizes that the pandemic has not only driven nurses out of the workforce but has also accelerated future departures, warning of a “greater crisis” that threatens patient populations if immediate action is not taken within health-care-related programs and systems.
The NCSBN is issuing a call to action, urging health care systems, policymakers, regulators, and academic leaders to collaborate and implement solutions. These solutions are crucial to foster a more resilient and safe nursing workforce, ensuring the continued strength and effectiveness of health-care-related programs for decades to come. The panel discussion held at the National Press Club, featuring prominent figures in nursing and healthcare policy, served as a platform to discuss these critical findings and propose pathways forward. The recording of this vital discussion is available on ncsbn.org, offering further insights into the challenges and potential solutions for safeguarding the future of nursing and the vital health-care-related programs they support.
