The big picture: New research suggests the perceived nursing shortage is actually a retention crisis, with a growing pipeline of nurses but a significant number leaving the profession or not actively working.

Why it matters: This reframing shifts the focus for healthcare organizations and staffing agencies from recruitment to creating sustainable work environments and addressing burnout.

Between the lines:

• Over 1 million licensed RNs are not actively working in nursing.
• The nursing pipeline is growing, indicating sufficient new graduates.
• Burnout and dissatisfaction with working conditions are primary drivers of nurses leaving.

Staffing & HR impact: Staffing agencies must pivot strategies to emphasize retention solutions and improved working conditions for their contract nurses, impacting recruiter mobility and potentially gross margins if turnover remains high. HR departments need to invest more in employee well-being and flexible scheduling to retain talent.

The bottom line: Solving the nursing crisis requires addressing the root causes of dissatisfaction to keep skilled nurses in the workforce.