What’s Trending Now

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

What has been interesting in my leadership development work is examining the trends that emerge over time. We are almost at the end of the first quarter of 2023, and here is what leaders are telling me now:

1. Nursing turnover is about at the same rate as in 2022, with minimal improvement noted in most health systems with either turnover or vacant position metrics.
2. Most health systems are still not offering the flexible schedules that nurses want today, such as 4, 6, 8, or 10-hour tours.
3. Health Systems are looking at new care delivery models; many involve adding team members such as LPNs, Nurse Scribes, Virtual Nurses, and Mobility Techs.
4. Patient volumes have skyrocketed, and managing ED volumes and patient throughput is a nightmare in many hospitals.
5. Most RN applicants are new graduates – experienced nurses are in high demand.
6. Nurse leaders report a noticeable decline in teamwork as young staff focuses on their needs.
7. Childcare has been a significant issue since the holidays, with centers closing without notice because of the Flu, COVID, or RSV.
8. Nurse executives struggle to help their C-Suite colleagues understand how severe and intractable the workforce shortages are.
9. Accrual of PTO time is at an all-time low as nurses use their PTO immediately when earned.
10. Frontline nurse leaders are burned out and exhausted from dealing with staffing and scheduling challenges.
11. Young nurses are making Nurse TOK videos to communicate the problems they see in nursing.
12. Travel pay and benefits have declined, but the use of travelers as part of core staffing continues, especially in Med-Surg, ED, and the OR.
13. Large health systems with a multistate presence have implemented travel programs using their staff.
14. Union activity and strike threats are on the increase.
15. Creative Academic-Practice partnerships to build enrollment are flourishing.
16. Nurse leaders see a disturbing trend of addiction behaviors in the nursing workforce.
17. Money still is top of mind for nurses as they seek out employment.
18. Mental health days are on the increase in most health systems.
19. Nurse leaders shake their heads as they watch new hospitals built in communities with severe shortages.
20. The cost of living, especially housing and parking fees, impacts recruitment, with high-cost urban areas being the most affected.