8 Common Nursing Problems and How to Improve the Industry for a Better Future

by | Mar 19, 2025 | Blog | 0 comments

8 Common Nursing Problems and How to Improve the Industry for a Better Future

Whether you are an aspiring nurse, a stakeholder in the healthcare industry, or simply a community member, the outcomes of current nursing problems can affect us all. They should be at the forefront of our concerted efforts to improve the quality of nurses’ jobs and patient care.

Knowing the hot topics in nursing, their central causes, and how to mitigate them efficiently are key to ensuring the industry’s future and the health of our communities and the nation. However, as healthcare experts may assure you, accurately pinpointing the issues in nursing is not straightforward, and less so is tackling them. 

We will present an overview of current nursing issues and problems, as well as fact-based recommendations for industry stakeholders, managers, and professionals. While the presentation is the result of our ongoing commitment to exploring, understanding, and helping the nursing field develop and improve, effective changes with wide-ranging effects will require continuous collaboration and a collective commitment to the industry.

Nursing Issues Related to Staffing and Shortages

1. Nursing Issues Related to Staffing and Shortages

The nursing shortage remains an ongoing concern in the industry. Its effects range from increased workloads for currently working nurses to compromised patient care, especially in underserved communities and rural areas where staff deficits are worst.

According to the most recent Nurse Workforce Projections (2022-2037) report published by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the US is projected to experience short—and long-term nursing shortages. The demand exceeding supply for Registered Nurses (RN) is projected to be 10% in 2027 and 6% in 2037. Shortages are worse for frontline nurses, such as licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses, where the supply of personnel would satisfy only 80% of the demand in 2027 (resulting in a 20% shortage at the national level) and 64% in 2037 (with the shortage increasing to 36% over just one decade).

The aging population is putting additional pressure on the current supply of nurses, with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) pointing out that, as Baby Boomers age and the need for healthcare grows, the shortage of RNs is expected to intensify. And, with 94% of nursing home providers reporting staffing shortages, according to the AHCA/NCAL, essential care for the most vulnerable populations and frontline role occupancy will suffer first.

Discover how to fix the nursing shortage and reduce its impact on the current state of the healthcare industry.

Current Issues in Nursing Education and Faculty

2. Current Issues in Nursing Education and Faculty

The nursing profession faces educational challenges, particularly concerning the turnout of graduates, faculty shortages, and the need for updated curricula to meet evolving healthcare demands.

According to the 2023-2024 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing report from the AACN, nursing schools nationwide turned away 65,766 qualified applications, with the most significant part of the affected applications being for entry-level baccalaureate programs (83.8%). The primary barriers to accepting all qualified applicants cited by the AACN are insufficient clinical placement sites, faculty, preceptors, and classroom space, as well as constraints due to budget cuts.

Additionally, with 10,000 applications being turned away from graduate programs, there is cause for concern regarding the preparation of the next generation of nurse educators and instructors. 

As we experience concerning turn-down rates for applications and a possible crisis in supplying an adequate pool of future nursing educators, support coming from all stakeholders is key. You can learn more about financial aid, grants, and scholarships for nurses, regardless if you are an aspiring nurse needing support or want to support the preparation of the next generation of nurses.

At the Nightingale Foundation, we know that investing in the next generation of nurses and nursing leaders is key to tackling the current challenges of nursing education. We provide our scholarships to aspiring learners who show potential and promise excellence. Our focus on historically underserved and underrepresented populations is a further commitment to lending a helping hand to the communities and individuals that need it the most.

Find out more about the scholarships provided by the Nightingale Foundation. 

And, because we know that collaboration between different educational institutions and support from as early an age as possible is essential for a prosperous nursing industry, we also organize the Community Education Outreach program, which can offer guidance to prospective learners already following their high school graduation.

You can learn more about what we do and how you can support our efforts to improve nursing education. 

3. Exposure to Disease and Health Concerns for Nurses

Nurses are continually exposed to various health risks, including infectious diseases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the risk of occupational injuries and illness rates were higher than those for other occupations (104.2 cases per 10,000 workers, compared to 91.7 cases per 10,000 workers). 

The COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened these concerns, with many nurses experiencing increased stress and anxiety related to the risk of potential exposure. A National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) study revealed that approximately 100,000 registered nurses (RNs) left the workforce during the pandemic due to stress, burnout, and retirement.

According to a recent study, nurses frequently experience direct-impact workplace hazards, such as needlestick injuries (30% of respondents) or musculoskeletal injuries due to patient handling (50%). However, conditions with a cumulative impact were more frequently reported, from high levels of stress (60%), shift work disorder, or the misalignment between the body and the circadian rhythms due to working in shifts (40%), and other related conditions such as chronic fatigue, reduced cognitive function or burnout. 

Despite these concerning trends, only 25% of healthcare facilities offer comprehensive occupational health programs for their pool of nurses.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Issues in Nursing

4. Mental Health and Wellbeing Issues in Nursing

As we have seen, some of the most concerning health risks in nursing are related to the mental health and psychological wellbeing of nurses. Nurses face ongoing mental health struggles due to long working hours, high patient loads, and emotional stress. The American Nurses Association (ANA) reports that workplace stress is a leading cause of burnout, affecting nurse well-being and patient care. Prolonged exposure to these stressors can lead to severe emotional exhaustion, decreased job satisfaction, and higher turnover rates.

A lack of accessible mental health resources exacerbates the issue, with 67% of nurses reporting insufficient support. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) highlights that poor mental well-being in nursing can lead to higher turnover rates and diminished patient care quality. Current research suggests that the implementation of structured support programs, provision of nurse-to-patient ratios, and fostering a culture of psychological safety are essential for reducing stress and retaining nurses in the workforce.

Learn more about mental health in nursing, including current statistics and valuable resources for improving nurses’ well-being.

Career Advancement Challenges of Being a Nurse

5. Career Advancement Challenges of Being a Nurse

Nurse career satisfaction has traditionally ranged between 80% and 85% over the past decade but dropped to 71% in 2023. Similarly, the percentage of nurses satisfied with the quality of care at their workplace declined from 75% in 2021 to 64% in 2023.

This decline in satisfaction increases the number of nurses leaving the profession and reduces the likelihood of current nurses recommending the career to future professionals. Overall, nurses are now 14% less likely to encourage others to pursue a nursing career. Younger nurses, in particular, report significantly lower satisfaction levels and are the least likely to promote the profession to their peers.

Beyond low job satisfaction, nurses also face hurdles in accessing advancement opportunities, often represented by postgraduate programs or specializations. Despite increasing postgraduate enrollment, research on nurses’ academic challenges remains limited. As one article highlights, many struggle to balance studies, work, personal responsibilities, and time and financial constraints. Assumptions that postgraduate students quickly adapt due to prior education often overlook the difficulties and barriers in education advancement.

Aiding nurses in advancing their education and careers is necessary to mitigate the leadership shortage in the nursing field. That is why one of the scholarships the Nightingale Foundation provides is directed at aspiring Nurse Practitioners. We take an active role in supporting the next generation of advanced nurses and industry leaders.

Risk of Discrimination and Workplace Violence

6. Risk of Discrimination and Workplace Violence

As the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse, the healthcare industry faces new challenges in addressing medical needs stemming from the complex cultural backgrounds of individuals in the growing pool of patients. Research indicates that patients from minority groups highly value healthcare providers who share or understand their culture. Minority patients are significantly more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to report never having access to a culturally similar provider, a disparity that persists across different age groups, sexes, and urban or rural settings.

Workplace racism also affects nursing professionals, contributing to burnout and dissatisfaction. According to a 2023 Urban Institute report, Black nurses experience higher burnout rates due to racial discrimination from both patients and colleagues. More so, a survey by the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing highlighted that 63% of nurses have personally encountered racism at work, with nearly half stating that racism is a pervasive issue in the profession. Addressing diversity in nursing can help shift workplace attitudes, reduce discriminatory behaviors, and foster inclusivity. This is particularly important as 56% of nurses report that racism has negatively impacted their professional wellbeing.

Furthermore, non-white nurses are disproportionately represented in frontline roles, exposing them to additional workplace challenges. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Nursing Education identified several barriers to fostering inclusivity in nursing, including institutional racism, power imbalances, privilege, and implicit biases. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial to ensuring a more equitable and supportive work environment in nursing.

Learn more about the importance of diversity in nursing and how to improve representation at local and national levels.

Material support is just as necessary for fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment in nursing settings, and attempts to help aspiring nurses from non-traditional backgrounds should start as early as possible. This is why the Nightingale Foundation focuses on providing financial support to learners from underrepresented and underserved communities via its scholarships. The Community Education Outreach program also enables learners from neglected communities and areas to embark on the nursing education journey with all the insights necessary to excel.

Learn more about what we do and how you can support our efforts.

Challenges to Nurse Retention and High Turnover

7. Challenges to Nurse Retention and High Turnover

It is a fact that the healthcare industry has a concerningly high employee turnover rate. In 2024, the US nursing industry maintained a high 20.7% turnover rate, with other analyses placing the US nursing turnover rate somewhere between 11.7% and 46.7%, depending on the timeframe. In either case, nursing turnover in the country generally exceeds the worldwide estimate of 18%.

Find out more about why nurses are leaving the profession and what we can do to stop the exodus.

More concerning, the highest turnover rates are encountered among new nurses, with professionals with under one year of experience experiencing a turnover rate of 34%, according to the NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report. This trend, combined with shortages in leadership and educational roles, adds further complexity to the ongoing shortage, making retention a priority for the industry.

Learn more about tried and proven nurse retention strategies that can be employed effectively and efficiently.

Lack of Quality Care in Underserved Communities

8. Lack of Quality Care in Underserved Communities

Providing quality care in underserved communities is a persistent challenge, often exacerbated by nurse shortages and resource limitations. The AACN notes that nursing schools nationwide are struggling to expand capacity to meet the rising demand for care, which impacts the availability of quality care in these areas. The projected shortage of nurses in non-metropolitan areas in 2026 is 22%, compared to 8% in metropolitan areas. This, combined with a higher population of residents aged 65 or more and fewer resources available, results in diminished quality of care and a higher burden placed on nurses currently employed in rural areas. That is also why the nursing turnover rate in rural areas is higher than in urban areas. And with the perceived quality of care also reflecting in job satisfaction, the nursing exodus and the ongoing shortages in underserved communities and rural areas are expected to continue, if not increase.

Discover seven ways to support a local nurse and strengthen the relationships between healthcare workers and the community.

How to Combat the Current Issues in Nursing and Create a Better Industry for the Future

How to Combat the Current Issues in Nursing and Create a Better Industry for the Future

Although the nursing problems the industry is currently facing can seem to diverge and require particular and punctual solutions on a case-by-case basis, an overview of their underlying causes and their interrelationships highlights the need for concerted efforts and strategies that ensure continuity and increased satisfaction both for working professionals and the communities they serve. Here are a few key elements that any future strategy of improvement for the nursing industry should include:

  • Changing the Workplace Culture: Creating a supportive and collaborative environment can improve nurse retention, reduce workplace stress and conflicts, and improve patient outcomes. Work settings that take steps to foster a positive and, most of all, inclusive culture are more successful in retaining staff
  • Necessary organizational changes: Workplace administrators and stakeholders should ensure that authority is delegated, adequate staffing is secured, and fair and competitive compensation is offered. ​
  • Increasing Diversity in Nursing Education: Addressing unequal access to education for underserved and underrepresented communities and providing diversity-focused scholarships can lead to a more representative nursing workforce. ​
  • Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders and Educators: Shortages in nursing faculty and the drain on leadership roles in workplaces hinder the appropriate development and retention of new generations of nurses. Efforts centered on attracting aspiring learners to educational roles and promoting excellence and readership in clinical and frontline roles are key to mitigating industry continuity concerns.
  •  Implementing Safety Protocols: In order to protect nurses from occupational hazards, strict adherence to infection control practices and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential.​
  • Offering Comprehensive Training: Continuous education on emerging health threats ensures nurses are well-prepared to handle various disease exposures.​
  • Providing Mental Health Support: All professional settings with personnel at risk of high degrees of stress or burnout should develop and implement mental health programs and foster supportive work practices to alleviate both the immediate effects and underlying causes of mental health issues among nurses. ​
  • Addressing Workload and Stress: Combating high turnover rates and improving retention, especially among younger nurses, requires stakeholders to recogniz and mitigate factors that contribute to stress, mainly high workloads and nurse-to-patient ratios, are crucial for retention.
  • Developing Mentorship Programs: Mentorship initiatives can guide nurses in navigating career pathways and overcoming advancement barriers.​ Professional mentorship can also represent a method of retention and mitigating career dissatisfaction. 
  • Ensuring Inclusivity Standards: Strict enforcement against discrimination and violence can provide all nursing staff with a safe and inclusive workplace.​ Educating staff on recognizing and addressing discriminatory behaviors fosters a culture of respect and equity.
  • Developing Varied Educational Paths: Expanding educational programs at community colleges and nursing professional facilities can increase the number of nurses serving in underserved areas while facilitating advancement opportunities via bridge programs for various healthcare technicians, which can diversify and expand the workforce while also easing the career advancement process for nurses.

We know that material support from as early a stage as possible is central to supporting the effort of mitigating the current issues in nursing. We provide scholarships for various educational paths to support nursing education, promote excellence among non-traditional learner pools, and help the industry, as a whole, to mitigate ongoing and projected problems.

Find out more about the scholarships provided by the Nightingale Foundation.

Our activities and support also go in the direction of mentorship for prospective learners at stages as early as pre-high school graduation through the Community Education Outreach that targets low-income and underserved school districts throughout the nation to conduct education outreach presentations and engage with students in the early stages of their journey to become a nurse. Our program offers educational materials and even supports students’ financial needs and concerns about attending a nursing program post-high school graduation.

Discover more about what we do and how you can support our efforts to improve nursing education.

References

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