Nursing Workforce Faces Crisis as 138,000 Exit Amid Burnout Concerns
NCSBN
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has published its 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study, revealing that over 138,000 nurses have left the workforce since 2022. The study, based on a survey of around 800,000 nurses, points to persistent labor shortages and systemic issues within the nursing profession, although there is a slight improvement in employment levels. High stress and burnout remain significant concerns, with nearly 40% of nurses expressing intentions to exit the profession by 2029. Key findings show that 9% of registered nurses and over 41% of licensed practical/vocational nurses plan to retire or leave their jobs in the next five years, citing similar reasons as in previous years. Median annual earnings for both groups have increased by 10-16%, likely due to inflation and heightened healthcare needs.
