As we celebrate the graduation of our eldest daughter from high school and her trade school (cosmetology) program, I couldn't help but notice a significant disparity at her recent completion ceremony. There were considerably more graduates in programs like cosmetology and aesthetics compared to medical assistant and nursing programs, with a ratio of approximately 4:1.
The nursing shortage in 2025 is projected to reach a deficit of over 500,000 registered nurses in the U.S., driven by an aging population, retiring nurses, and insufficient nursing education enrollment. A significant number of nurses, particularly those from the Baby Boomer generation, are expected to retire in the coming years, with approximately 600,000 more registered nurses projected to retire by 2030. This will exacerbate the shortage, and the existing nursing workforce is facing higher workloads, leading to increased burnout rates and impacting job satisfaction and patient care quality.
For those of us interacting with clinical teams today, we hear firsthand how demand and workloads are pushing many from continuing in the profession. The problem is only going to get worse as nurses may face higher patient-to-nurse ratios, leading to potential declines in the quality of care. I know that this comes as no surprise to all of you, but this is a stark reminder of the reality we are experiencing as an industry and a profession right now. While we may not be directly involved in nursing education, we must consider how we can support our fellow nurses and caregivers.
A recent article listed the top 15 reasons why nurses are leaving the profession. While many of the reasons revolved around pay, leadership, and culture, several in the top 15 could be directly improved by an enhanced built environment:
Staffing Shortages
Mental Health
Feeling Undervalued
Work-Related Injuries
Unsafe Working Conditions