According to a recent survey conducted by AMN Healthcare Services Inc, nearly 30% of nurses in the United States are planning to quit their profession following the overwhelming and exhausting experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey, which included over 18,000 nurses and was conducted in January, also revealed that 69% of nurses are aiming for higher salaries, and 63% desire secure working conditions to lower their tension.
The percentage of participants looking to leave their professions has increased by 7 points from 2021, when the pandemic-triggered wave of resignations began. Meanwhile, 36% of nurses intend to continue working in the field but may switch workplaces.
AMN Healthcare CEO Cary Grace highlighted the mental health and well-being challenges the nursing workforce continues to face post-pandemic.
The staffing crisis in hospitals has been an issue for a couple of years, but it gained global traction in late 2021 and hit a peak early last year following a significant number of resignations due to burnout. The shortage of staff in hospitals drove up costs at hospital operators while boosting profits at medical staffing providers such as AMN Healthcare.
The survey’s results underscore the need for improved working conditions and better support for healthcare workers who have been on the front lines of the pandemic.
