What Are the 5 Biggest Challenges Nurses Face?

No one ever said a career in nursing would be easy. But, with RN turnover rates increasing every year, it’s clear that nurses today face critical challenges that make it more difficult now to do the job than ever.

Here are the 5 biggest challenges nurses say they are currently facing:

1. Staff Shortages
With a retiring nursing workforce and pressure to reduce operational costs, many healthcare facilities are now operating with lean staffs. Unfortunately, this nursing shortage means nurses are working more hours with less support to provide quality care to their patients.

2. Meeting Patient Expectations
More than half of nurses who responded to a career survey said meeting the high expectations of their patients is one of their biggest challenges. They say that staff and budget cuts often prevent them from providing the level of service their patients expect. Not being able to meet patient expectations can be disheartening for many nurses who go into the profession to please their patients.

3. Working Long Hours
Occasional overtime is expected in the nursing profession. However, the exception is becoming standard practice for a growing number of nurses who say they are repeatedly expected to do 12-hour shifts and overtime.

4. Violence in the Workplace
Sadly, the third leading cause for health worker injuries is violence from their patients. Slip-resistant shoe expert Shoes for Crews says, “Violence towards nurses can range from a drunken patient attacking them or verbal assault.”

5. Personal Health
Despite caring for patients all day, many nurses struggle to stay healthy themselves due to stressful working environments, poor sleeping habits, physically demanding shifts, and routine exposure to sick patients.

To learn more about the top challenges nurses face, read this entire Shoes for Crews article.