The future of healthcare depends on the strength of its nursing workforce, which is now standing at a crossroads of rising demand, widespread burnout, and generational change.
Recent research has drawn fresh attention to the state of the profession as it faces mounting pressures. An aging population is driving higher demand for services, while many experienced nurses are approaching retirement. At the same time, lingering shortages and burnout have left healthcare systems struggling to meet patient needs.
These converging factors highlight why understanding upcoming changes in the workforce is critical for the future of healthcare. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) research highlights some of the expected changes, identifying gaps where healthcare leadership may have an impact.
What Is the Current State of the Nursing Workforce?
Today’s nursing workforce includes more than 5.3 million registered nurses in the United States, making it the nation’s largest healthcare profession. The demographics show a mix of younger graduates entering the field and a significant proportion of nurses over 50 years old nearing retirement. While this balance brings fresh perspectives, it also raises concerns about a looming loss of experience and leadership.
Challenges such as staffing shortages, heavy workloads, and widespread burnout place significant strain on the profession. Burnout is driven by heavy workloads and staffing pressures. One national survey by the American Nurses Association found that 62% of nurses experience burnout, and it’s especially common in those younger than 25 years.
Hospitals and clinics in rural communities often have the most difficulty with the challenge of attracting and retaining nurses. At the same time, specialty areas like critical care, emergency services, and primary care see persistent gaps that limit patient access. These realities underscore the urgency of preparing for shifts in the nursing workforce.
Research Insights into Expected Workforce Losses
The 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study, the largest and most comprehensive of its kind, surveyed 800,000 nurses and revealed early signs of recovery and persistent instability in the workforce across the country. For example, the survey found that since 2022, over 138,000 nurses have stopped practicing. Primarily, they cited stress, burnout, and approaching retirement as their key reasons.
There is a substantial number of nurses in the Baby Boomer population expected to retire in the next several years. In 2017, experts projected that nearly 1 million nurses would retire by 2030. The National Nurses Workforce Study estimates that roughly 40% of RNs plan to leave the profession within the next five years, citing several reasons, including retirement. This is a clear signal of a continuing challenge with labor shortages in healthcare.
Estimates Show That Burnout Continues to Influence Staffing
In the survey, among those who indicated they will be leaving the workforce, 41.5% cited stress and burnout from heavy workloads, chronic understaffing, and salary issues. A 2023 study looked at the age of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic as a predictor of burnout syndrome.
They gathered data using an observational study of 100 nurses over the age of 18 and found that burnout syndrome impacted younger nurses at higher rates than older nurses. This information suggests that strategies promoting a better work environment could reduce the number of nurses leaving the profession and thus improve the level of experienced RNs providing patient care
Data Also Reveals Positive Indicators
Looking ahead, the survey also noted several positive changes within the profession. They found that 87.7% of RNs were actively working in nursing, as compared to 81.1% of RNs in 2015. While the number of RNs working in the profession increased, the percentage of licensed LPNs actively working decreased to 70.6% in 2024 from 77% in 2015. This change may reflect the increasing priority healthcare institutions place on hiring RNs.
According to the survey, nursing compensation is also rising, with median pre-tax earnings increasing between 10% and 16%. They theorize that this is likely driven by an escalating healthcare demand and inflation.
Additionally, the nursing workforce is also becoming more educated. Over 73% of actively working RNs hold a BSN degree or higher. The workforce is becoming more diverse as the percentage of Latino and Hispanic RN’s doubled from 3.6 in 2015 to 7.2 in 2024. During the pandemic, the profession also experienced a partial rebound of experienced staff as older nurses re-entered the profession. However, experts believe that this trend will likely not continue.
These research findings underscore that nursing is at a crossroads: there are glimmers of stabilization and significant challenges, particularly stress, retention, and workforce diversity. These persist as key focal points for recovery and planning.
Nurses form the foundation of healthcare and are critical to achieving excellent patient outcomes. When you want help building a strong nursing workforce, call Tipton Health. Our team guides you in transforming your workforce and creating sustainable staffing solutions through evidence-based strategies and proven programs to strengthen your nursing staff.