According to industry estimates, between 700,000 and 900,000 licensed nurses in the US have stepped away from a clinical role but still maintain their credentials.
Curtis Anderson, CEO of Nursa, discusses in a McKnights article how the national nurse workforce crisis is not merely a shortage of qualified nurses, but a systemic failure to keep them at the bedside.
Why are nurses leaving the bedside?
The startling reality Anderson highlights is that these nurses are hiding in plain sight, working in retail, food service, insurance, or another industry. Most of these nurses decided to leave the healthcare setting because the structure of nursing jobs no longer accommodates the reality of modern life. When working a strict nursing schedule, nurses feel:
- Burned out by administrative tasks
- Concerned about workplace safety
- Strained by family obligations
What is the solution?
Anderson applauds initiatives aimed at strengthening the nursing workforce and the student pipeline. However, he also believes that facilities need to recognize that a shift towards flexibility will ultimately sustain nurses in the long term:
“Facilities maintain strong core teams while also creating pathways for clinicians who want to work on a limited or variable basis.” — Curtis Anderson
The stabilizing effect of flexibility
Some facilities maintain their workforce exactly as it is, but bring in per diem nurses to help for a few busy hours. Anderson cites a specific example of a facility in Minnesota that brings in per diem nurses to assist with medication passes.
By widening the focus to include training new nurses and also offering flexible work options, facilities can combat turnover and find those nurses seeking flexible work.
Ultimately, using per diem nurses allows facilities to maintain safe staffing ratios and ensure patients receive consistent care. Read the full article here.
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