New report details RN shortages in New York hospitals

According to a recent report released by the Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS) at the University at Albany’s School of Public Health, New York continues to struggle to bolster its registered nursing (RN) workforce.

Researchers conducted interviews and focus groups with chief nursing executives, human resource experts, and nurse recruiters representing over 50 hospitals across New York State. CHWS also interviewed staff from state and regional hospital associations and analyzed a number of available data sources on the state’s RN workforce.

In Upstate New York, 92.6% respondents said RNs were difficult to recruit and 97.1% said RNs were difficult to retain.

The study identified a number of contributing factors, including stressful working conditions (ie, workplace violence) that contribute to RN burnout, RNs trained during and after the pandemic had considerably less direct patient contact than those who trained prior to the pandemic, resulting in new graduates less prepared for transition to practice, and younger RNs who are much more concerned with work-life balance and more likely to change jobs more frequently compared to older-generation RNs.

The study also found that hospitals agree on the top three priorities for strengthening RN recruitment and retention, which include: improving workplace culture, expanding workforce development (nurse residencies, leadership programs, preceptor training), and providing educational assistance (tuition assistance or loan repayment for advanced education).

You can read the full report here.