Boca Raton, Florida, Dec. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RNnetwork, a national provider of travel nurse staffing, released results from a follow-up to its 2016 study, identifying primary workplace concerns for nurses across the country. The updated results point to burnout, overwork and harassment continuing to affect nurses and impact patient care in 2018, due in large part to the national nurse shortage.

According to the study, nearly half of all respondents (49 percent) have considered leaving nursing in the past two years, a number that has not changed since RNnetwork’s 2016 survey. Sixty percent of nurses feel they spend the right amount of time at work. That is a slight decrease from 63 percent in 2016, indicating hours and expectations are increasing.

Burnout continues to be a significant problem among nurses as the nurse shortage persists. In 2018, 62 percent of nurses felt regularly burned out in their jobs and 44 percent of nurses believed that burnout had affected their work performance. 

“The fact that the majority of nurses are burned out and half are considering leaving their profession should be a wake-up call for the healthcare industry," says Lynne Gross, vice president at RNnetwork. "These survey findings reveal areas where providers can work together with nurses to improve working hours, reduce instances of workplace bullying and harassment, and address mental health."

Other key findings include:

• The nursing shortage has negatively affected workloads for 88 percent of nurses in 2018, up significantly from 62 percent in 2016.
  • 46 percent feel more overworked than they did two years ago.
  • Most nurses (62 percent) believe the shortage is negatively impacting the quality of care they can provide.
• More than half of nurses (54 percent) report their workload has negatively impacted their mental health.
  • 35 percent report the impact on mental health has likewise negatively affected their work.
• Forty percent of nurses believe they have less free time now compared to two years ago. A similarly-sized group (38 percent) feel their available free time has not changed in two years.
• Nearly 40 percent of nurses report being bullied or harassed during the past year. More than 20 percent of nurses are also subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace.

RNnetwork polled more than 900 nurses working in the United States, representing most fields and specialties. The majority of respondents had 10 or more years of active practice. To learn more, read the full survey report.

About RNnetwork
Established in 1998, RNnetwork has become a leading provider of travel nurse staffing throughout the United States. RNnetwork is also a proud member of the CHG Healthcare family of companies, which is known for its award-winning culture and benefits and has been named one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” each of the past nine years. To learn more visit RNnetwork.com.