Study details emergency nursing workforce

A first of its kind emergency, trauma and transport nursing workforce study provides a detailed look at an essential workforce. Researchers used 2017 data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and the results of a survey commissioned by MedEvac Foundation International, the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) and three specialty nursing organizations. BCEN's executive director Janie Schumaker, MBA, RN, an AONL member, initiated the research partnership. Slightly more than 4,000 members of the 158,000-strong emergency/trauma/transport nursing workforce responded to the survey. They had 16 years of experience on average and 78 percent held a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing. Among the survey’s many findings, 65 percent of nurses said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs, and 38 percent reported some symptoms of burnout. The study also looked at the impact these professionals have on patients. (MedEvac Foundation International news release, 6/3/19)