Heart of Healthcare Under Pressure: 1 in 3 Nurses Near Retirement Amid Ongoing Workforce Challenges
DALLAS, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Despite 75% of nurses expressing satisfaction with their career choice, the profession remains under significant strain due to ongoing burnout, mental health concerns, and chronic staffing shortages, according to AMN Healthcare’s 2025 Survey of Registered Nurses. The survey, which gathered responses from over 12,000 nurses, paints a complex picture of a workforce devoted to patient care but grappling with deep systemic pressures.
While most nurses remain passionate about their calling, the daily reality is taxing:
- 58% report feeling burned out most days
- 64% say compassion fatigue has affected their health
- Only 39% expect to stay in their current position over the next year
The remaining 61% are considering career shifts, including department changes, hybrid roles, travel nursing, or leaving the profession entirely.
A key concern for the future of healthcare is the looming retirement wave—33% of nurses are eligible to retire soon, potentially deepening existing workforce shortages. Additionally, less than half (49%) of nurses feel valued by their employers, highlighting a disconnect between healthcare leadership and frontline staff.
Flexible Work Arrangements a Top Priority
Workplace flexibility has emerged as a major theme throughout the survey:
- 81% of nurses believe flexible scheduling would improve their work environment
- Yet, only 34% currently have self-scheduling options, and a similar percentage (33%) use scheduling apps
The report also explores attitudes toward technology, with 45% of nurses concerned that AI may compromise patient safety, and 26% worried it might eventually replace human nurses.
Dr. Angelo Venditti, Chief Nursing Executive at AMN Healthcare, emphasized the urgency of supporting nurses. “As a nurse myself, I know how critical this data is. We must prioritize their well-being through more flexible schedules, better staffing models, and supportive technology,” he said.
Voices from the Front Lines
Despite the challenges, many nurses continue to find meaning in their work. One respondent shared: “After COVID, I lost my joy of being a nurse. I started therapy because nursing is part of my soul—it’s not just a job, it’s who I am.”
Another nurse emphasized the need for work-life balance: “A flexible schedule that lets me spend more time with my family would reignite my passion for nursing.”
These testimonies echo broader findings: 55% strongly agree that flexible schedules would improve their professional experience, and nearly half (49%) say flexible hours could encourage them to stay in the field longer.
A Call for Systemic Change
As healthcare systems struggle to retain and attract nurses, AMN Healthcare is urging leaders to adopt long-term strategies that go beyond recruitment. Robin Johnson, Group President of Nursing & Allied Solutions at AMN, stressed the need for a holistic approach.
“With the right strategies—flexible work options, technology adoption, and supportive environments—healthcare systems can help nurses rediscover the passion that drew them to the profession,” Johnson said.
Recommendations from the survey include:
- Implementing advanced scheduling tools and AI-driven workforce platforms
- Expanding mentorship and professional development programs
- Increasing financial incentives and workplace safety measures
- Promoting flexible and hybrid roles to reduce burnout
AMN Healthcare’s 2025 survey offers a roadmap to revitalizing the nursing workforce—one that supports the heart of healthcare through compassion, innovation, and respect.
About AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare is the leader and innovator in total talent solutions for healthcare organizations across the United States. People are the heart of healthcare, and at the core of our mission is a commitment to ensure all may thrive. Through a steadfast partnership approach, we solve the most pressing workforce challenges to enable better clinical outcomes and access to care. We provide a comprehensive network of quality healthcare professionals and deliver a fully integrated and customizable suite of workforce technologies.
