International Council of Nurses policy brief: The global nursing shortage and nurse retention

Summary

This report from the International Council of Nurses is intended to give an overview of the continuing challenges faced by nurses, highlight the potential medium- to long-term impacts on the nursing workforce, and inform policy responses that need to be taken to retain and strengthen the nursing workforce.

Content

Key messages

• 90% of National Nurses Associations (NNAs) are somewhat or extremely concerned that heavy workloads, and insufficient resourcing, burnout and stress related to the pandemic response are the drivers resulting in increased numbers of nurses who have left the profession, and increased reported rates of intention to leave this year and when the pandemic is over. 
• 20% of NNAs reported an increased rate of nurses leaving the profession in 2020 and studies from associations around the world have consistently highlighted increased intention to leave rates.
• More than 70% of NNAs report that their countries are committed to increase the number of nursing students, but highlight that when this happens there will still be a three-to-four-year gap before new graduate nurses are ready to enter the workforce. During that time, they fear an exodus of experienced nurses.
• Due to existing nursing shortages, the ageing of the nursing workforce and the growing COVID-19 effect, ICN estimates up to 13 million of nurses will be needed to fill the global nurse shortage gap in the future.
• It is imperative that governments act now to mitigate the risk of increased turnover among nurses and improve nurse retention.