Nurses are leaving the profession, and replacing them won't be easy

As more nurses leave the workforce, patient care will no doubt suffer

The fourth wave of COVID-19 is exacerbating the ongoing crisis for the nursing workforce and has led to burnout for many nurses. As a result, many are quitting their jobs in substantial numbers all across the country, with 62% of hospitals reporting a nurse vacancy rate higher than 7.5%, according to a 2021 NSI Nursing Solutions report.

 

But the global pandemic has only worsened problems that have long existed within the nursing profession – in particular, widespread stress and burnout,