Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, the nursing field was facing a staggering rate of turnover. The global health crisis has only exasperated these conditions. Consider this: The American Association of Critical Care Nurses recently polled nurses and found that 66 percent said their experiences during the pandemic had caused them to consider leaving the field. Reporting from Fierce Healthcare indicates that healthcare leaders are taking notice. In 2021, 92 percent of leaders indicates that they feared that the labor shortage would intensify.
While these stats are shocking, they also represent a growing opportunity for new nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 200,000 nurse openings are projected to be available each year through 2029.
Dr. Scarlet Spain shares her thoughts on the urgent need for nurses in our latest video. She brings with her perspective frontlines of this healthcare staffing crisis, as well as her unique career path in the nursing field.