According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses are in demand, and this trend is expected to increase by 6% through 2031. As the population ages and overworked nurses face burnout, the profession faces continued challenges.
This pandemic has created immense stress on the nursing industry and the entire healthcare profession. Increased demand for nurses in inpatient and outpatient settings continues as the industry faces a nursing shortage.
If you’re looking for opportunities as a nurse or want to hire qualified nursing staff, you should understand the current issues in the industry.
Here’s a look at the trends affecting nurse staff in 2023.
1. Rising Job Growth
Supply and demand boost job growth. The job growth for nurses is as fast as the average for all other occupations. The growth rate for nurse practitioners is even greater.
As the demand for nurses grows, the shortage of nursing faculty is increasing. The supply of nurses is also shrinking. Nurses are leaving the profession due to high-stress levels and burnout.
2. Nursing Shortage
There is a rising demand for nurses to care for an aging population with complex healthcare needs. This and a shrinking supply of nurses have contributed to the biggest nursing shortage the U.S. has ever faced. The shortage is expected to increase throughout 2023.
Nursing education programs and states are searching for solutions to the nursing shortage problem. Some nursing programs are offering rolling admissions to attract more candidates.
Colleges are opening new nursing programs. They’re working towards more creative clinical opportunities and public and private partnerships. States are reviewing the staffing crisis and increasing funding for nursing education programs.
3. Focus on Mental Health
The nursing staff shortage is highlighting the need to address the mental health of today’s nurses. Fatigue, stress, and burnout are rampant in the industry. These mental health issues have led to a mass exodus from the nursing profession.
Although there are resources available for nurses, healthcare institutions need to do more to provide resources for nurses in crisis. They need to educate supervisory staff and nurses about ways to care for their mental health and prevent burnout.
4. Continued Rise in Virtual Care
Although telehealth virtual visits aren’t new, there will be shifts in what “virtual” care looks like. This may include in-person visits.
Various regulations have increased Medicare’s flexibility for reimbursement for virtual visits. This may lead to a rapid increase in the evolution of telehealth.
Revenue drives innovation. If this flexibility leads to better patient outcomes and lower costs, telehealth may become a priority for Medicare reimbursement.
This can help integrate virtual care and in-home healthcare for skilled nurses and nurse practitioners. The evolution of telehealth has the potential to solve nursing industry challenges and improve healthcare.
Trends Affecting Nurse Staff
The healthcare industry is facing a nursing shortage that is only expected to increase. Nurses are dealing with an aging population, a continuing pandemic, and high levels of burnout.
All of these issues affect nurse staff and drive nurses away from the profession. If you’re interested in hiring nurses or are looking for a nursing job, we can help.
Staff Genius is a medical staffing company offering hiring solutions, not quick fixes. Let us help you with your nurse hiring needs.
Contact us today to learn more.
