The U.S. nursing shortage isn’t just a staffing problem—it’s a crisis that affects patient safety, nurse well-being, and the future of healthcare. But for registered nurses (RNs), this moment also presents an opportunity to lead change and take control of their careers. Let’s explore what’s causing the shortageand what it means for today’s nurses.
COVID-19 may be the straw that broke the camel’s back, but hospitals have been dealing with nursing shortages for years, and the problem may be an inherent part of healthcare. As historian Susan M. Reverby puts it, the problem with contemporary American nursing is the duty “to care in a society that refuses to value caring.” Limitations can keep nurses from providing the best possible care, and the restrictions placed on today’s nurses range from the political to the extremely personal.
Adults aged 65 and older are expected to number 77 million by 2034, outnumbering children for the first time in U.S. history. Older adults are living longer than ever: a testament to modern medicine and the dedication of healthcare workers.
However, increased longevity brings an increased risk of experiencing conditions associated with aging, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia. As the aging population, or “silver tsunami,” grows, so too will the demands placed on RNs.
About one million RNs are over 50 years old, meaning we could lose about one-quarter of all nurses to retirement within the next 15 years. While new graduates can help fill the gap, nursing schools face enrollment limits due to a national faculty shortage. In recent years, some nurses have also opted for early retirement due to increasing stress and job demands.
Nurses face intense pressure on the job, from long shifts to high patient loads to emotional exhaustion. Burnout is a leading factor driving nurses away from the profession, as many struggle with physical fatigue, mental health challenges, and limited institutional support. Without meaningful changes, many RNs are left questioning how long they can stay in the field.
With their workforce dwindling, hospitals have turned to increasing patient-to-nurse ratios, which has been linked to burnout, turnover, and—alarmingly—patient death. Nurses who care for too many patients at once are more likely to commit errors and less likely to provide high-quality care. It’s a frustrating situation but one that gives nurses the leverage they need to advocate for change.
Speaking on the importance of setting boundaries, nurse manager Avery Taylor said, “You can’t pour from an empty cup, right? I am still incredibly proud to be a nurse, but I don’t feel like I have to be a nurse at the sacrifice of myself. I still need to take care of myself.”
Finding a balance may seem impossible during a nursing shortage, but for the nurses who continue to care—care for their careers, patients, and fellow nurses—there are few other options.
As the nursing shortage continues to affect hospitals across the U.S., many RNs are wondering what it means for their careers—and how to respond. Here are some common questions and answers based on current trends.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an online RN to BS in Nursing program that will prepare you for leadership roles in patient care. Accredited by the prestigious Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), our online program provides the knowledge needed to overcome today’s nursing challenges and foster a healthy work environment for the betterment of patients and staff.
Within our online program, courses such as Strategy and Analysis of Organizational Process explore conflict resolution, negotiation skills, operations management and strategic planning: all areas essential for overcoming challenges created and worsened by the nursing shortage.
Throughout this course, students learn how to improve population health outcomes by creating change in their units. This course, along with the rest of our online RN to BS in Nursing program, provides aspiring nursing leaders with the means to overcome staffing challenges and improve the quality of healthcare, which must be safeguarded during these difficult times.
Ready to become a leader in nursing? Apply to our CCNE-accredited online RN to BS in Nursing program, and in as little as one year, you can graduate with a BSN from UT Permian Basin’s School of Nursing. Along with this prestigious credential, the knowledge and skills you’ll gain in our program will help you control the trajectory of your career, better provide for patient needs, and lead with confidence in your current or future nursing role.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/03/14/travel-nurse-pay-caps/
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