90% of nurses reportedly plan to leave their jobs in the coming year, discusses Good. Shawn Sefton, RN about one of the recent surveys of registered nurses. Nursing is one of the top-paid jobs, but to many “why nurses are quitting the profession” still remains a question. We have figured out the main reasons in this blog post and predicted the plans they chose after quitting their jobs.
Why nurses are quitting the profession? Top reasons discussed
The nursing profession is really a calling. The average registered nurse spends four years after high school completing rigorous and competitive pre-nursing courses such as chemistry, biology, math, physiology, and human development before entering what has been described as the “most difficult” undergraduate degree.
Those who survive are then and only then qualified to sit for a national exam (with an 85% pass rate) and proudly earn the title of Registered Nurse. Only a calling to help those in need would drive someone to work so hard. So, why are so many nurses leaving the profession just two years after this enormous accomplishment? Here are a few of the main reasons nurses leave their jobs…or their profession:
Burnout
Burnout has long been a problem in nursing, but it was exacerbated by the pandemic. The majority of nurses work long shifts, usually around 12 hours. However, working with people infected with a potentially lethal virus made the job more stressful.
Staffing shortages may result in even longer shifts and fewer days off. Furthermore, nurses may be asked to fill gaps in care delivery, which may necessitate the use of skills that they do not have or are not comfortable using.
Some hospitals also implemented hiring freezes as a result of the pandemic. This practice, combined with overcrowding from pent-up patient demand, has resulted in a nursing workforce shortage.
Mandatory vaccinations
One of the reasons nurses are leaving the profession right now is the recent debate over COVID vaccine mandates. The recent mandates have outraged some members of the public. In many ways, the nursing community has been impacted as well. Vaccine mandates are especially problematic for some nurses.
Family earnings
In certain cases, the nurse is not the only source of income in the family. The routine and necessary hours may necessitate more childcare hours. Nursing couples with a higher-paid spouse frequently consider this. It is a wonderful profession, but when compared to other professions, it may not be worth the time away from home.
Higher education needs
Nurses are leaving the profession because they want more out of their current position. They may be happy in their current position, or perhaps their plan all along was to return to school and use the registered nursing career as a stepping stone to a better position.
With the adaptability of their nursing context, many nurses are realizing the potential to earn money in a non-nursing-related field. This could be a temporary leave to pursue your Master’s degree or a certification, or it could be leaving to further your education and transition into a new role. In either case, time away from the nursing profession is required.
Illnesses
As previously stated, a personal illness may provide the necessary downtime to reflect on one’s career choices. Nurses, like their patients, become ill and suffer from health issues. It could be a temporary leave of absence, or they could be suffering from a personal illness that prevents them from returning to this profession.
Mental well-being
Many nurses are leaving the profession as a result of their own mental health issues. Nursing is a mentally taxing profession. Many nurses are placed in difficult situations with little time to process or cope. It can have a significant impact on your mental health over time, leading to nursing staff leaving their careers to pursue other opportunities.
Personnel shortages
People are becoming more aware of the importance of properly staffing medical facilities in the midst of today’s pandemic. Staffing shortages are caused by more than just COVID. When there aren’t enough nurses, it’s possible that fewer nurses will have to care for more patients. Nurses who are understaffed may be more prone to burnout and illness.
Pay
A rewarding career in nursing does not always translate into more money on your paycheck. Nurses can make a lot of money and see their pay rise over time, but this isn’t always the case. In some parts of the country, nurses must work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Many other professions require far less emotional investment and education than nursing. As a result, many people who want to be nurses find that their ambitions are overshadowed by the low pay. Some are making career changes that may lead to a more sustainable career that pays more than their nursing salaries.
Dangerous working conditions
Many nurses are leaving the profession because they believe they are in some way unsafe. It is difficult to keep someone at their job if they feel unsafe, whether it is because of the patient population or the working conditions.
Not rewarding
A nursing career can be exhausting in the long run. It is easy to become exhausted and lose sight of why you chose this profession in the first place. When all you seem to be doing is clocking in, taking care of others, and then clocking out, it can feel as if you don’t have time to take care of yourself.
What are their optional plans?
According to a recent poll of 1,000 healthcare workers, nearly 20% have quit their jobs since the pandemic began. Here are three possible career paths for them:
Other clinical settings
Some nurses who worked in inpatient units have moved to outpatient settings where the work environment may be less stressful. Out-patient shifts are typically shorter and do not require nurses to work nights, weekends, or holidays.
The job is typically less physically demanding, and the patient cases are less complex than in a hospital. Some nurses are also choosing to pursue advanced degrees, such as nurse practitioners, which can deplete a hospital’s bedside nurse pool of resources.
Adjacent health-care sectors
Because many nurses have experience with a variety of therapies, they are well-positioned for a second career in the pharmaceutical or health insurance sectors. Many nurses have amassed a vast and valuable knowledge base after years of working in a hospital. For example, if they have experience with the products and the patients who use them, some nurses may provide a unique value-add to a pharmaceutical company.
Non-clinical settings
Some nurses have left health care to work in non-clinical fields such as business consulting, start-ups, and corporations. Individuals are often drawn away from patient care by the allure of higher pay, the prospect of improved mental health, potentially easier working conditions, and a desire to make a larger impact on health care.
Locum recruitment jobs with flexible timing, better pay, and comfortable shifts
Whether you’ve just graduated or are a nurse considering your career options, there are several reasons why you should consider working as a locum nurse with JP Medicals Recruitment agency. We have amazing locum jobs with NHS and private clients.
Contact us or register with us online to learn how you can benefit from working as a locum nurse. Our pay rates vary depending on the role and stage of a person’s career. Please contact your JP Medicals consultant for more information.