A large swath of American nurses want out of the profession, raising the threat of a mass exodus that would leave gaping holes in health care.
Almost one in three registered nurses say they’re likely to seek a different job, according to a recent survey by AMN Healthcare Services Inc. A McKinsey & Co. study last month warned the US risks a shortfall of as many as 450,000 nurses. Job openings in health care surged above 2 million in April, not far short of last year’s record.
The pandemic put nurses and other health-care professionals under unprecedented strain. The worst of the COVID crisis may be over, but staff remain stretched. And that’s creating a “vicious cycle” of fewer people wanting to become nurses as the profession becomes more stressful and less satisfying, according to Cole Edmonson, chief clinical officer at AMN.
