By Mackenna Moralez

Burnout is on the rise among workers in the healthcare industry. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, staff shortages, long hours, and lack of flexibility, nurses across the country are quitting at rapid paces while some unions have voted to strike for better pay and benefits. Regardless of incentives that have been given to staff members, the nursing shortage is now becoming a global crisis. 

The pandemic has put the nursing profession at serious risk, according to a report by the International Council of Nurses. Prior to 2020, there was already a shortage of 6 million nurses. To keep up with COVID-19, new variants, resignations and retirements, hospitals and other healthcare facilities will have to recruit and retain nearly 13 million more nurses over the next decade.  

“We knew the situation was fragile because of the persistent historical underfunding of nursing around the world, but with the latest information about nurse vacancies, their rates of intention to leave and staff sickness rates, it must now be recognized as a global crisis,” says Howard Catton, CEO with the International Council of Nurses (ICN). “We can no longer afford to undervalue and underfund the nursing profession, not only for the sake of the health of nurses, but for the protection and sustainability of our entire global health system. Let’s be clear: We are not talking about stop-gap solutions, getting through the current pandemic, or even preparing for the next. We are talking about being able to address all the healthcare needs that have built up and been delayed since the onset of the pandemic. If we do not address all these present and urgent needs in a sustainable way over the next decade, the WHO’s ambition of universal health coverage will be thwarted.” 

A long-term plan is needed to address the needs of nurses leaving because of additional stresses resulting from the pandemic, as well as to recruit a new generation of nurses to meet increased demand. Some hospitals and healthcare facilities in Texas are offering a $5,000 hiring bonus for certain positions across the state to better entice new hires.  

“We want to recruit qualified, motivated healthcare professionals to help support residents in our state supported living centers and patients at our state hospitals,” says Scott Schalchlin, deputy executive commissioner for Texas HHSC’s Health and Specialty Care System. “Many people right now are looking for a new career or taking that next step in their current career. We have some great opportunities for people who are interested in working in an environment where they can make a true difference in the lives of others every single day.” 

But there are still troubles within the profession that are causing some employees to leave. According to a report by American Nurses Association, 63 percent of nurses have experienced racism in the workplace, with transgressors being a peer (66 percent), a patient (63 patients), or a manager or supervisor (60 percent). Also, 57 percent of respondents said that they challenged racism within the workplace, but only one-half of those saw results from speaking out. In addition to the pandemic, one-half of respondents said these encounters have impacted their professional well-being. 

“Nurses have been on the front lines of the pandemic for two years now,” says Pamela Cipriano, ICN president, in a press release. “The influence they have had on the survival and health of the people they serve has been enormous. Despite enduring heavy emotional and physical burdens of providing care for their patients and communities, they have shown great resilience, but resiliency has its limits.” 

Mackenna Moralez is assistant editor with Healthcare Facilities Today.