Martin B, Kaminski-Ozturk N, O'Hara C, Smiley R, et al.
Journal of nursing regulation. Date of publication 2023 Apr 1;volume 14(1):4-12.
1. J Nurs Regul. 2023 Apr;14(1):4-12. doi: 10.1016/S2155-8256(23)00063-7. Epub
2023 Apr 5.
Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Burnout and Stress Among U.S.
Nurses.
Martin B(1), Kaminski-Ozturk N(2), O'Hara C(3), Smiley R(4).
Author information:
(1)Director, Research Department, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
(NCSBN), Chicago, Illinois.
(2)A Research Scientist, Research Department, NCSBN.
(3)A Data Scientist, Research Department, NCSBN.
(4)A Senior Statistician, Research Department, NCSBN.
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified long-standing issues of burnout
and stress among the U.S. nursing workforce, renewing concerns of projected
staffing shortages. Understanding how these issues affect nurses' intent to
leave the profession is critical to accurate workforce modeling.
PURPOSE: To identify the personal and professional characteristics of nurses
experiencing heightened workplace burnout and stress.
METHODS: We used a subset of data from the 2022 National Nursing Workforce
Survey for analysis. Binary logistic regression models and natural language
processing were used to determine the significance of observed trends.
RESULTS: Data from a total of 29,472 registered nurses (including advanced
practice registered nurses) and 24,061 licensed practical nurses/licensed
vocational nurses across 45 states were included in this analysis. More than
half of the sample (62%) reported an increase in their workload during the
COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly high proportions reported feeling emotionally
drained (50.8%), used up (56.4%), fatigued (49.7%), burned out (45.1%), or at
the end of their rope (29.4%) "a few times a week" or "every day." These issues
were most pronounced among nurses with 10 or fewer years of experience, driving
an overall 3.3% decline in the U.S. nursing workforce during the past 2 years.
CONCLUSION: High workloads and unprecedented levels of burnout during the
COVID-19 pandemic have stressed the U.S. nursing workforce, particularly
younger, less experienced RNs. These factors have already resulted in high
levels of turnover with the potential for further declines. Coupled with
disruptions to prelicensure nursing education and comparable declines among
nursing support staff, this report calls for significant policy interventions to
foster a more resilient and safe U.S. nursing workforce moving forward.
© 2023 National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
DOI: 10.1016/S2155-8256(23)00063-7
PMCID: PMC10074070
PMID: 37035777
