AI, more pay help healthcare executives combat worsening nurse shortage

Editor's Note

Healthcare executives expect the US nurse shortage to worsen, according to the 2024 Healthcare Executive Report from Incredible Health, a career marketplace for healthcare workers.

Projected to reach 1 million by 2030, the shortage is exacerbating stress on current staff and compromising care quality, according to the company’s June 18 report on the new findings. Based on responses from over 100 healthcare executives, the report reveals that most—90%—anticipate the nurse shortage worsening. However, respondents also point out that new technologies and improved alignment between nurses' needs and healthcare offerings could provide solutions.

Burnout and workplace violence are key factors driving nurses away, executives report. Potential remedies for the issue include implementing zero-tolerance for violence policies, investing in security, establishing safety plans, and soliciting legislative support.

Executives are also focusing on salary increases. Technological advancements, especially artificial intelligence (AI), are seen as promising tools to reduce administrative burdens and burnout.

Other takeaways include:

• Only 32% of healthcare executives polled are satisfied with current patient-to-staff ratios.
• 78% of healthcare leaders do not feel they have adequate nurse staff to prepare for a large-scale health crisis.
• 66% say that they have seen an increase in verbal and/or physical assaults on nurses within the past year.
• 64% find raises to be effective for attracting nurses, and 40% report raising pay within the past year.
• 47% report nurses use artificial intelligence (AI) for scheduling/administrative processes, 54% are exploring the use of AI, and 78% believe AI will positively impact their health systems.
• 46% of nurses report burnout as their biggest reason for leaving the profession, while more than 26% are likely to leave their positions due to workplace violence this year, according to Incredible Health’s 2024 Fifth Annual State of US Nursing Report.