1.15 Million RNs Not Working

Retention Crisis

• NNU data shows 1.15 million licensed RNs aren't working as nurses.
• Hospitals aren't losing people because there aren't enough nurses, but because conditions are pushing them out.
• A May 2026 study found staffing hasn't returned to pre-COVID levels and in some cases is worse.
• A JAMA analysis found adequate staffing is the #1 factor that would bring RNs back.

ICU Nurse Retention

• Giving nurses more meaningful responsibility reduces the odds of quitting by 54%.
• Earned overtime shifts raise quit odds by 58%.

Male Nurse Representation

• Male representation among RNs dropped from 11.2% to 10.4% in 2024.
• 40% of all RNs intend to leave within five years.
• Historically, men have left at higher rates.

RaDonda Vaught

• Convicted of negligent homicide in 2022 after a fatal medication error at Vanderbilt.
• Lives on a sheep farm in Tennessee and is now a national speaker on hospital safety.
• Focuses on system failures, automation risk, and why punishing individual nurses doesn't fix anything.

Ohio State Nurse Incident

• Samantha McLeod, a postpartum nurse, was dragged by a man holding a baby in November 2022.
• She didn't fight back due to fear for the baby's safety.
• The incident led to a call for accountability from the Ohio Nurses Association.

Burnout and Employee Confidence

• New Glassdoor data shows burnout mentions in employee reviews are climbing across industries, but healthcare workers flag it at significantly higher rates.
• Employee confidence in their company's outlook is at its lowest point since Glassdoor started tracking.

Nursing Home Retention Bonus Case

• Monarch Healthcare Management wants to end a $100K retention bonus program for nurses.
• An arbitrator ordered the company to reinstate the program and pay back pay.
• The SEIU argues the company should keep its promise.

Travel Nursing Market Stabilization

• New survey shows bill rates have leveled off and the market is showing signs of stabilization after years of wild swings.
• MSPs (managed staffing programs) are now driving most of the volume.

World Cup and Public Health

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will stress-test public health infrastructure across North America.
• The federal government has earmarked $625 million for host cities, and the CDC is coordinating with local health departments.

EBOLA Updates

• Former CT nurse practitioner allegedly submitted 15,000+ fake claims for medication management services that never happened.
• CDC Ebola Update: Ebola outbreaks continue in DRC and Uganda, declared a "public health emergency of international concern."

Travel Nursing Profile

• MSN's profile of traveling nurses reads like an airline magazine, but paired with Becker's stabilization data gives a fuller picture.