How The Covid-19 Pandemic Further Exposed The US Nursing Shortage
The Covid-19 pandemic has shed light on the significant nursing staffing concerns experienced across the USA as hospitals struggled to care for patients with the limited nursing workforce available to do so. In a medical system where nurses represent almost 50% of all employees, the impact of a nursing shortage can significantly impact a hospitals ability to provide timely services to those in need.
In 2019, prior to the start of the pandemic, 80% of hospital chief executives reported that Registered Nurse shortages were a top three staffing concern. Fast forward to the year 2021, and Registered Nurse shortages became the number one concern for hospital CEOs across America. Over this time period Registered Nurse turnover has increased from 17% to 26% between the years 2017 and 2021, further straining an already challenged nursing workforce.
What are the current factors that are contributing to the nursing staffing shortage?
The growing demand on the healthcare system. With the aging baby boomer generation, a significant number of American’s are now living longer than ever before with more chronic illnesses and health challenges than ever experienced before. It is expected that the number of American’s aged 65 years or older will double by the year 2050.
An older generation of nurses are entering retirement. Currently, more than 50% of the Registered Nurse workforce is 50 years or older in age with a median age of 51 years old. Over the next 5-15 years, more than half of the most experienced Registered Nurses in the USA could be leaving the workforce completely and entering retirement. It is expected that more than 1 million Registered Nurses will retire by the year 2030.
Nursing school enrollment is not meeting the growing demand for Registered Nurses. There is a faculty shortage at colleges and universities across the USA to educate nursing students, which has limited the number of available seats for Bachelor of Nursing Degree candidates. More than 75,000 qualified applicants for nursing schools were turned away as a result in the year 2018.
Burnout and stress experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic has led to more nurses reducing hours, finding non-clinical positions, or leaving the nursing profession completely.
In summary, the combination of a decrease in the supply of Registered Nurses and a growing demand for Registered Nurses to care for an aging population, has brought attention to the imminent challenges of sustaining the US medical system. It is estimated that there will be a 10-20% nursing workforce gap by the year 2025, with an additional 200,000 to 450,000 Registered Nurses needed to keep up with growing demands. To achieve this, the number of graduating nursing students in America would need to double for each of the next three years, which is not expected to take place.
Furthermore, the number of practicing Registered Nurses will need to grow by 28% from 2.8 million to 3.6 million by the year 2030, with more than 200,000 new Registered Nurses needed each year as current one’s enter retirement.
A realistic and sustainable approach to addressing the nursing shortage is to turn to the immigration of international Registered Nurses. This has created a unique opportunity for experienced international Registered Nurses from all across the world to immigrate to the USA for employment, while receiving permanent residency through Green Card Visa sponsorship.
Southern and western US states will make up the largest demand for Registered Nurses as they continue to grapple with shortages, however, these challenges will be experienced across the nation. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 50% of hospitals in New Mexico report having nursing staffing issues. 47% of hospitals in Vermont, 42% of hospitals in Rhode Island, 41% of hospitals in West Virginia, and 40% of hospitals in Arizona are experiencing similar challenges. California is expected to have the largest nursing deficit in America with 44,500 more Registered Nurses needed by 2030, followed by Texas with 15,900, New Jersey with 11,400, and South Carolina with 10,400.
If you are an international Registered Nurse and are interested in immigrating to the USA with Green Card Visa sponsorship (for you, your married spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age), this is a unique time to take advantage of this opportunity.
You can email your resume to nursebrennan@medliant.com to learn more about how Medliant can assist you in turning your American Dream into a reality today. Medliant continues to offer an extensive NCLEX sponsorship program, financially supporting your NCLEX review and exam upfront.
Sources:
Assessing The Lingering Impact Of Covid-19 On The Nursing Workforce. McKinsey & Company. May 11, 2022 mckinsey.com. Accessed October 2022
Nursing Shortage By State: Which U.S. States Need Nurses The Most And Which Ones Will Have Too Many? Nightingale College nightengale.edu. Accessed October 2022
States With The Biggest Hospital Staffing Shortages. U.S. News and World Report January 13, 2022 usnews.com. Accessed October 2022
