More healthcare settings are reporting nursing shortages, and the problem seems to be getting worse.
Among the reasons for the wave of departures from the depression:
- Stress and burnout
- Health and safety issues
- Depression
- Work-related post-traumatic stress disorder
- Growing workloads and inadequate staffing
- Mandatory overtime.
Some organizations are attempting to attract more nurses with incentives as large as $40,000 sign-on bonuses. Others are turning to travel nurses. However, this use of these practitioners doesn’t solve the problem long term. The average salary for a travel nurse can be up to $100,000 annually, with as much as $13,50o in overtime pay. Some nurses even accept so-call “crisis assignments,” which can pay as much as $10,000 weekly.
It is important to create a workplace environment in which nurses can flourish and enjoy an appropriate work-life balance. The result is a better workplace that attracts more nurses and keeps them engaged over time.
