Researching the impact of COVID-19 on the nursing shortage
The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened many nurses’ commitment to their profession, but a growing minority are considering leaving nursing, according to a study conducted by two Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston faculty members.
Barbara Hekel, PhD, MPH, RN, andSandra Branson, PhD, MSN, RN, explored how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Texas nurses through a survey of Texas Nurses Association members. They asked questions about nurses’ intentions to continue working in the field, and about factors associated with considerations to leave nursing. Findings from this research have been published in theTexas Public Health Association Journalin a paper titled, “Factors Associated with Texas Nurses Consideration to Leave the Nursing Workforce: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic” (2021).
大多数的311怒rses who completed the survey expressed no indication they were interested in leaving the job. However, 19% indicated they were considering leaving the nursing workforce. By comparison, a national survey conducted in 2018 found that nearly 10% of nurses across the nation indicated they were looking to leave the nursing profession.
“We know many nurses will be leaving the workforce due to retirement, but the impact of the pandemic on the workforce is a concern,” said Hekel. “If we are able to identify the reasons why nurses were considering leaving the workforce, then health care institutions could implement measures to assist with retention."
在大流行之前，请愿离开的理由包括压力很大的工作环境和人员不足。Covid-19在列表中增加了安全问题和家庭/照顾者的菌株，40％的受访者报告工作量增加。
Hekel and Branson’s study concluded that the emergence of COVID has placed an additional burden on an already overwhelmed and burned-out segment of the nursing workforce. The research suggested that caregiving responsibilities, including school and childcare closures due to COVID-19, have caused some nurses to reconsider their career choices.
“Our findings suggest that a significant nursing shortage could be exacerbated across Texas if interventions to retain nurses are not developed,” said Hekel. “Employers must address these issues with innovative solutions for nurses to help them more effectively balance family and work obligations,” said Hekel.
The study suggested looking at ways to enhance positive environments in clinical settings, including nurse participation in hospital affairs, improving nurse autonomy, increasing support from management, and addressing resource and staffing issues.
“Nurses serve as an important backbone of our health care system, and we, as a current generation of nursing leaders, must create work environments that allow nurses not only to survive but thrive," said Hekel.
