Major Findings     4-6

4. Despite these trends, most RNs are satisfied with being a nurse and would recommend nursing to others as a career choice. Younger nurses -- and those with higher levels of education -- are even more likely to recommend nursing as a profession. And, despite some evidence of strain in the working relationships between nurses and management, RNs overwhelmingly agree that patient care remains a priority at the organization where they work. (Tables ES-4a, ES-4b, and ES-6a)

• Nearly eight out of ten RNs describe themselves as "very" (37%) or "moderately" (40%) satisfied with being a nurse, with only one in eight saying that they are dissatisfied. And, seven out of ten RNs say that they are "very" (21%) or "moderately" (50%) satisfied with their current nursing position.
  
• Most (60%) RNs say that they would advise a high school or college student to pursue nursing as a career choice.
  

RNs below the age of 35 and those with a baccalaureate or postgraduate nursing degree are even more likely than other nurses to say that they would recommend nursing as a career to a high school or college student.

• A majority (54%) of RNs agree that "management recognizes the importance of my personal and family life".
  
• RNs overwhelmingly (79%) agree that patient care remains a priority at the organization where they work.

5. Along with these positive views toward nursing, opportunities clearly exist to attract and retain more RNs as working nurses. Many RNs who plan to leave their present jobs in the next few years say they would consider staying - and many others who have left nursing altogether say they would consider returning - if certain conditions were met. Among these conditions are better compensation, an improved work environment, better hours and more respect from management. Nurses with no immediate plans to leave echo many of these same sentiments. (Tables ES-5a and ES-5b)

• Among respondents who plan to leave their present nursing position within the next three years:
  
  
  A majority (58%) say that higher salary or benefits would be "very likely" to cause them to reconsider their plans to leave their current position.
  Virtually half say that better staffing (50%) and more respect from management (48%) would be very likely to cause them to reconsider.
  
  
• Among respondents who are not working as paid nurses,
  
  
  Almost half (45%) said that a less stressful work environment would be "very likely" to cause them to consider returning to work as a nurse.
  Just over one-quarter said that higher wages (29%) or better hours (28%) would be very likely to cause them to consider returning to work as a nurse.
  
  
• At least six out of ten of all RNs think that the following would help a "great deal" to solve the nursing shortage:
  
  
  Improved working environments (83%)
  Improved wages and benefits (79%)
  Higher status of nurses in the hospital environment (70%)
  Better hours (58%)

6. Attracting and retaining nurses in the face of a shortage will surely be a challenge. Reducing stress in the work environment - a leading cause of nurses leaving the profession prior to retirement - will be particularly difficult because this stress is a result as well as a cause of the shortage. Still, even as the shortage continues, steps could be taken to reduce stress by giving RNs more say in workplace decisions; more opportunities for professional development; more recognition; and a physically safer and more accommodating workplace. (Tables ES-6a, ES-6b, and ES-6c)

• A majority of RNs agree that:
  
  
  "my job is often so stressful that I feel burned out" (59%) and
  "my job involves so many non-nursing tasks that little time remains for nursing" (55%)
  
  
• And, at least half of all nurses rate their current work setting as only "fair" or "poor" as far as:
  
  
  Opportunities to influence decisions about workplace organization (56%)
  Opportunities for professional development and advancement (55%)
  Recognition of accomplishments and work well done (54%)
  
  
• In addition, substantial numbers of RNs say that in the past year, they have personally experienced:
  
  
  Back or other musculoskeletal injuries (34%)
  Exposure to blood-borne pathogens, including needle sticks (31%)
  Episodes of violence in the workplace (28%)
  Sexual harassment or a hostile work environment related to physicians (19%) or other staff (19%)