Begley Discusses NCSBN Workforce Study

AONL CEO Robyn Begley called for stakeholders to work collectively to solve the burnout and shortages affecting the nursing workforce. Begley, who also serves as American Hospital Association senior vice president of workforce and CNO, spoke this week on a panel to discuss research findings from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing projecting significant nursing workforce shortages. Begley noted health care organizations are using creative staffing models and technology to lessen nurse workloads, while still providing safe and effective patient care. She also noted the study showed the nursing workforce is becoming more diverse. The NCSBN study data showed 250,000 nurses left the workforce during last two years, with 100,000 of the total leaving due to the pandemic. In addition, by 2027, almost 900,000 ─ or 20% of 4.5 million total registered nurses ─ intend to leave the workforce. Unless solutions are enacted, these departures will threaten the national health care system. (NCSBN news release, 4/13/23)