Getting to the heart of what your workforce needs is key to a healthier work environment, and nurses, in particular, are vocal about what helps them thrive in their roles. They seek flexibility, fair compensation, job security, professional growth opportunities, a supportive work environment, and recognition for their hard work. However, there’s often a disconnect between these needs and what healthcare facilities can provide.
We gathered insights from over 7,100 nurses to get a clear picture of what they value most in their work environment and what drives their career decisions. Through this survey, we dove deep into the heart of nursing, uncovering what’s crucial for recruiting and retaining top talent and exposing the gaps between what nurses need and what healthcare facilities can realistically offer.
The following figures were sourced from our Voices of Care: Understanding Our Nations Caregivers report. This survey was independently run by Medical Solutions to illustrate the attitudes and priorities of RNs in our workforce. For a deeper look into these insights, download the full report here.
What Do Clinicians Want?
Clinicians are Saying They Want Flexibility and Work-Life Harmony
One of the top priorities for nurses is having flexibility in their schedules. This need for flexibility helps nurses manage work-life balance, avoid burnout or compassion fatigue, and stay satisfied with their jobs. Here are some key statistics:
- 85.1% of travel nurses cited flexible scheduling as a major reason for choosing their roles.
- 94.6% of per diem nurses emphasized the flexibility to work more or less as a top factor.
- 82.7% of permanent nurses chose their roles to be with their families, highlighting the importance of stable and predictable schedules.
Why the Disconnect?
Staffing shortages make it challenging to offer the level of flexibility that clinicians need and desire. Facilities need to ensure that all shifts are covered, which can be difficult with limited staff.
What Can Facilities Do?
Implementing float pools and better scheduling systems can help. By creating a pool of nurses who can work in various departments, facilities can offer more flexible schedules and begin to stabilize their workforce. Advanced scheduling software can also use predicted patient volumes to optimize shift allocations.
Clinicians are Saying They Want Fair Compensation and Benefits
Fair compensation remains a critical issue, as many nurses feel that their current pay doesn’t reflect their hard work. According to the survey:
- Only 42.8% of nurses agreed that they are paid fairly for their work, with 24.2% disagreeing.
- 97.2% of travel nurses indicated that a better salary was crucial in their decision to take on travel assignments.
- 86.8% of per diem nurses also highlighted better salaries compared to permanent roles as a significant factor.
Why the Disconnect?
Budget constraints and financial pressures often limit a healthcare facility’s ability to increase salaries. Moreover, facilities may not always be aware of the competitive rates offered elsewhere.
What Can Facilities Do?
Facilities can conduct regular market analyses to ensure their compensation packages are as competitive as possible within financial limits. They can also explore offering additional benefits (monetary and non-monetary, like professional development, flexible scheduling, bonuses, and positive work environments) to enhance the overall appeal of their positions.
Clinicians are Saying They Want Job Security and Reduced Workplace Politics
Nurses value job security and a positive work environment free from excessive workplace politics. The VOC Survey shows:
- 73.5% of travel nurses appreciated the job security with options available nationwide.
- 85.2% of travel nurses favored reduced involvement in workplace politics, which they experience more as temporary staff than permanent employees.
Why the Disconnect?
The transient nature of travel nursing and PRN roles can make nurses feel unstable and more exposed to workplace politics, as they are often seen as outsiders.
What Can Facilities Do?
Facilities can offer temp-to-perm opportunities to help ensure job stability. Additionally, creating a more inclusive work culture where all nurses feel valued and respected can reduce workplace politics and improve overall job satisfaction. This can be achieved through enhanced onboarding, team-building activities, recognition programs, open communication, equal access to training, and transparent policies.
Clinicians are Saying They Want Recognition and a Positive Work Environment
Feeling valued and having a manageable workload plays a large role in nurse retention and job satisfaction. The survey highlighted:
- 65.5% of nurses felt they normally work in a safe environment, which implies that a significant minority does not, often due to understaffing.
- Only 40% of nurses felt their hard work was recognized, indicating a need for better acknowledgment and appreciation.
Why the Disconnect?
High patient loads and administrative burdens often leave little time for facilities to provide the recognition and support nurses need. This can lead to feelings of being undervalued and overlooked.
What Can Facilities Do?
Facilities can implement recognition programs to regularly acknowledge nurses’ hard work and achievements. Simple gestures like thank-you notes, employee of the month awards, and public recognition during meetings can go a long way. But most importantly, ensuring manageable workloads by hiring additional staff can greatly improve the work environment.
Clinicians are Saying They Want Solutions to Burnout and Stress
Burnout is a major concern that impacts many nurses at one point or another. The survey data reveals:
- 39.2% of nurses reported experiencing a lot of stress and burnout from work.
- 23.4% of nurses often felt like quitting, showing a high level of dissatisfaction and mental health strain in the profession.
Why the Disconnect?
Heavy workloads, long hours, and emotional strain are common in nursing, leading to high levels of burnout and stress. Facilities may not always have the resources or strategies in place to address these issues effectively.
What Can Facilities Do?
Introducing wellness programs, offering mental health support, and promoting a healthy work-life balance can help reduce burnout. Facilities can also help by offering flexible schedules and ensuring adequate staffing levels to alleviate the pressure on individual nurses.
The Workforce is Loud and Clear
Clinicians, especially nurses, have been clear about what they need to thrive in their roles. Addressing these needs is crucial for retaining a satisfied and effective nursing workforce. By listening to these voices and making thoughtful changes, we can create a more supportive and efficient working environment for our clinicians.
Visit our homepage to learn more about how Medical Solutions can help support your facility. Together, we can build a healthier and happier workplace for all healthcare professionals.
