The newly-licensed registered nurse workforce: Looking back to move forward

Area of Science:

• Nursing Workforce Research
• Healthcare Human Resources
• Registered Nurse Transition

Background:

• Newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) are essential for workforce sustainability.
• NLRNs face significant challenges during their transition to practice, leading to high turnover.
• The global pandemic in 2020 further emphasized the need to examine NLRN workforce data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze recent national workforce data to identify insights for retaining NLRNs.
• To renew focus on the critical issues impacting the NLRN workforce.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study utilizing secondary analysis of the 2018 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses.
• Examination of demographic, education, employment, and work environment variables.

Main Results:

• The NLRN workforce is increasingly diverse, with many holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as their first degree and utilizing federal loans.
• Key reasons for NLRN job departure include inadequate staffing, stressful environments, burnout, and salary.
• Factors contributing to NLRN retention are balanced schedules, job experience, and a sense of community.

Conclusions:

• Decades of research highlight consistent issues driving nursing turnover and attrition.
• The study prompts further consideration of the challenges and retention strategies for the NLRN workforce.
• Renewed attention to the issues facing NLRNs is essential for a sustainable nursing future.