Resilience in Scrubs: Florida’s Nursing Rebound and Future Prospects
In recent years, Florida’s nursing landscape has experienced a transformative journey marked by challenges and triumphs. Between 2012 and 2021, the number of registered nurse (RN) jobs in the state surged by 14.78%, reaching a total of 187,920 positions. However, the pre-pandemic era was characterized by a shortage of approximately 11,500 RNs, with educational programs grappling to expand due to constraints like faculty shortages and limited resources.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation. Frontline healthcare workers faced unprecedented stress, prompting some nurses to retire early, while others seized lucrative opportunities as travel nurses on short-term contracts. This dynamic led to a surge in hospital RN vacancy and turnover rates, reaching record highs, as reported by the Florida Hospital Association.
Fast forward three years, and there are encouraging signs of recovery. Hospital RN vacancy rates have decreased from 21% in 2022 to 13% in 2023, accompanied by a drop in turnover from 32% to 20% during the same period. Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, notes that the state leads the nation in these improvements.
Despite this progress, challenges persist. Florida’s burgeoning population, coupled with the aging demographic, particularly the Baby Boomer generation, necessitates a substantial increase in nursing staff. Presently, the state boasts 326,669 licensed RNs, but projections indicate a demand for thousands more.
Examining the demographic composition of Florida’s nursing workforce reveals some intriguing insights. With 87% being female, the majority are White (57.9%), followed by Black (17.3%), Hispanic (15.5%), Asian (5.6%), and Indigenous (0.2%). A significant portion, 61.8%, of Florida’s RNs work in hospitals, with other prevalent settings being elderly care (8.4%) and home health (6.5%).
Delving into the age distribution, the average age of an LPN, RN, and nurse practitioner in Florida is 48, 46, and 45, respectively. Notably, almost 43% of the state’s nurses are aged 50 or older.
To address these ongoing challenges, concerted efforts are underway by hospitals, state universities, colleges, and lawmakers to bolster Florida’s nurse workforce. The growth in nursing faculty jobs saw an 84.8% increase between 2012 and 2021, with average annual wages for faculty members at $76,835 in 2021. While progress is evident, stakeholders remain vigilant in navigating the evolving landscape to ensure a robust and resilient nursing sector for the future.