Is there a nursing shortage, or a shortage of solutions? - OR Manager (2024)

FAQs

Is there a nursing shortage, or a shortage of solutions? - OR Manager? ›

The nursing profession continues to face shortages due to a lack of potential educators, high turnover, and inequitable workforce distribution. The causes related to the nursing shortage are numerous and issues of concern.

Nursing leaders in hospitals around the country are on the front lines of an ongoing nursing shortage. They're also dealing with retention issues of their own. A new survey by staffing firm AMN Healthcare found that nearly a third of hospital nurse leaders plan to leave their jobs within a year.

Unsafe Staffing Ratios Are Just Part of the Problem

Inadequate staffing ratios. Not getting equal pay for equal experience. Not receiving hazard pay during a pandemic. Not having adequate back up. An inability to take breaks, sick days, or even turn down extra shifts.

Average turnover rate for front-line nurse managers is around two years, and in the Northeast U.S., the current vacancy rate stands at roughly 15%. Imagine if the CEO of a non-medical organization turned over every two years. There would be immediate attention given to why such turnover existed.

A perfect storm of systemic barriers to advancement

These challenges often include social and cultural expectations around nursing as a gendered profession; internal perceptions of what leadership roles entail; and lack of organizational support and resources to encourage diverse leaders.

There is an average of nine RNs in the U.S. for every 1,000 people. Utah, Georgia, and Texas have the lowest nursing ratio with just seven RNs for every 1,000 people. Inadequate levels of nursing staff contribute to errors and elevated mortality rates, along with heightened burnout and dissatisfaction among nurses.

For example, there is a target to recruit 50,000 new nurses into the NHS by 2023/24, which appears likely to be met. However, projections from the Health Foundation indicate there will still be a shortfall of around 38,000 full-time hospital and community health service (HCHS) and general practice nurses.

A1: The shortage stems from an aging population, increasing patient acuity, a limited pipeline of new healthcare professionals, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including burnout and high stress among healthcare workers.

Future Look: How Long Could the Nursing Shortage Last? HRSA projections estimate that the shortage of full-time registered nurses (RNs) is projected to peak in 2027 and continue until 2035 — the first year where the supply of RNs is estimated to meet the national demand.

Best Paying States for Nurses

The state with the highest annual wage is California, which has an average wage of $133,340 per year. Following behind California are Hawaii, with an average salary wage of $113,220, and Oregon at $106,610. The states with the lowest average wage are Alabama, Arkansas and South Dakota.

What is the average age of a nurse manager? ›

The nurse managers, with an average age of 47.4, were younger than the population of nurse executives, and only 35.1% possessed a master's or doctorate in nursing.

The salary and job outlook for nursing managers is positive. Nurse managers are all registered nurses (RNs), so this education is required before you can apply as a nursing manager. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there is an expected increase of 19 percent in the nursing manager career by the year 2022.

Second, nurse managers' primary stressors were loneliness and role conflict. Nurse managers are known to juggle multiple demands from the hospital nursing director and staff nurses.

As the national professional organization of more than 12,000 nurse leaders, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) is the voice of nursing leadership.

Strong leaders in nursing are vital to help navigate the constant evolution of health care. Nurse leaders do more than balance costs, monitor productivity, and maintain patient and staff satisfaction. They serve as role models and influence health care organizations at all levels.

There is an average of nine RNs in the U.S. for every 1,000 people. Utah, Georgia, and Texas have the lowest nursing ratio with just seven RNs for every 1,000 people. Inadequate levels of nursing staff contribute to errors and elevated mortality rates, along with heightened burnout and dissatisfaction among nurses.

Analysis from 2022 found that the total number of registered nurses decreased by more than 100,000 between 2020 and 2021 –the most significant observed drop in the past 40 years. Many were under 35 and employed in hospitals. The nurses who should be the profession's future are leaving it behind.