What You Should Know:
– Incredible Health, the leading healthcare career marketplace, released its 5th Annual State of US Nursing Report today. The report, based on data from one million nurses and a survey of over 3,300, offers a comprehensive look at the state of nursing in the United States.
– The report underscores the need for solutions to address staffing shortages, improve compensation, and enhance nurse safety and well-being. Collaboration between healthcare systems, policymakers, and nurse advocates is crucial to ensure a brighter future for the nursing profession.
State of Nursing Report Key Findings
- Staffing Shortages Remain a Major Concern: A staggering 88% of nurses surveyed believe staffing shortages negatively impact patient care. Many nurses (63%) reported being assigned to too many patients, and nearly a quarter (23%) perform tasks outside their job description due to these shortages.
- Nurses Divided on AI in Healthcare: While 70% of nurses don’t foresee AI impacting their roles within a year (up from 2023), 64% fear AI will negatively impact their jobs and the industry overall. However, some see positive applications for AI, such as supporting education and improving efficiency.
- Burnout and Safety Concerns: 23% of nurses are highly likely to leave their current roles this year (up from 2023), citing factors like burnout, understaffing, and compensation concerns. Additionally, 50% of nurses have experienced verbal or physical assault from patients or family members in the past year.
- Financial Strain on Nurses: 78% of nurses report only meeting basic needs with little left over, and 64% feel under-compensated.
- Generational Divide on Nursing’s Future: While 79% of nurses overall want to stay in the profession, 68% don’t feel hopeful about the next generation (Gen Z) entering nursing. Younger nurses (18-24) are more optimistic about AI’s impact compared to older nurses (55+).
- Positive Signs – Mental Health and Relocation: Nurses’ reported mental health has improved slightly (up 6%), possibly due to increased focus on combating burnout. Additionally, 21% of nurses relocated for new roles using the Incredible Health platform.
“Incredible Health is proud to reach monumental milestones in pursuing our mission to help healthcare workers live better lives,” said Iman Abuzeid, M.D, co-founder and CEO of Incredible Health. “As we continue to expand our platform and support more nurses and health systems, we remain committed to driving positive change in healthcare and ensuring nurses have the resources they need to thrive. The results of our State of US Nursing Report inspire action by health systems and government, just like our past reports.”