Supporting and Retaining Nurses in Trying Times

Abstract

The nursing profession has witnessed its share of challenging and trying times including toxic or unhealthy work environments, unsustainable workloads, an aging workforce, inadequate staffing, nurse burnout, staff retention, inadequately trained staff, an increase in workplace violence, and several pandemics. Both individually and collectively, these thorny issues have placed a heavy burden on nurses. Unfortunately, many capable and competent nurses have left the profession altogether, which further compounds an already problematic situation. This article highlights several important strategies for recruiting, retaining, and supporting a high functioning nursing workforce in challenging and trying times.

Keywords: COVID-19; Leadership; Nurse retention; Recognition; Strategies to improve nurse retention.