The Impact of COVID-19 on the Nursing Profession in the U.S.
Now more than ever is the time to reflect on nursing’s role in addressing the issues heightened by COVID-19 and to inform a progressive path forward where nurses are well-positioned and prepared to meet the evolving needs of our patients, communities and health care system.
AONL joined the American Nurses Association and Johnson & Johnson to commission a market research study to understand the current state of the nursing profession amid the pandemic.
Survey Methodology
This online survey was fielded by the research firm Ipsos from August 7 to 30, 2020 and included 4,000 individuals based in the United States. Among them were 1000 nurses (inclusive of 236 APRNs), 250 nursing students, 500 physicians, 250 healthcare administrators and 2,000 general population respondents.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Nursing
This study revealed that despite the incredible challenges posed by COVID-19, the crisis has resulted in some progress within the profession, accelerating changes in attitudes and expectations regarding nurses.
According to the survey, 64% of nurses who spent more than half their time with COVID-19 patients are satisfied with opportunities to work on collaborative interprofessional teams, compared with 57% of nurses who spent less than half their time with COVID-19 patients.
Among that same set of nurses working with COVID-19 patients:- 50% are satisfied with opportunities for professional advancement (compared to 43%)
- 48% are satisfied with opportunities to lead programs or initiatives (compared to 40%)
- 44% are satisfied with opportunities to influence decisions about workplace organization (compared to 39%)
Download the survey to see the full impact COVID-19 has had on the nursing profession.
Download SurveyStatements from Partners
"The COVID-19 crisis has placed nurses into the spotlight like never before, showing the world what we already knew—that their frontline-view is critical to finding, shaping and leading innovative solutions to address critical patient needs amid the ongoing pandemic and beyond." Johnson & Johnson
"Nurses around the world are being called upon to lead clinical teams and provide care on the front lines of a global pandemic, and for the first time in recent history, nurses are being recognized as change agents for human health." American Nurses Association
"Now more than ever is the time to reflect on nursing’s role in addressing the issues heightened by these events and to inform a progressive path forward where nurses are well-positioned and prepared to meet the evolving needs of our patients, communities and health care system." American Organization for Nursing Leadership
