New Report Sheds Light on Burnout, Stress, and Short Staffing Among Nurses

Cross Country Healthcare and Florida Atlantic University have released their fourth annual survey, Beyond the Bedside: The State of Nursing in 2025, offering a detailed look at the evolving landscape of the nursing profession. Despite ongoing progress in the healthcare industry since the pandemic, the report reveals that many of the challenges nurses faced during the pandemic persist today, indicating the future of nursing is uncertain.

“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, yet they’re still being asked to carry an unsustainable load,” says John A. Martins, President & CEO of Cross Country. “This year’s report is not just data—it’s a resounding cry for change. If we don’t act now, we risk losing an entire generation of dedicated professionals.”

The 2025 Report Paints a Dark Picture

John A. Martins, President & CEO of Cross Country

The 2025 report is based on a survey of 2,600 nurses and nursing students. While the report reveals an eye-opening look at the problems within the industry, it also provides valuable details on what needs to change to retain nurses and attract new talent to the profession.

The report found that 65 percent of nurses currently experience stress and burnout, and just 60 percent of respondents indicated they would choose nursing as their career again. Student nurses expressed concern about workloads and stress, and 24 percent of respondents stated that no mental health support is available to them.

Respondents also identified the top challenges within the profession:

• Stress and burnout – 65 percent
• Short staffing and high patient ratios – 59 percent
• Inadequate pay and benefits – 52 percent
• Feeling undervalued by management – 51 percent

Additionally, respondents indicated the elements they want their job to have, including flexible scheduling, more time off, break or sleep rooms, recognition programs, and stress management and wellness support.

Rethinking the Nursing Industry

The report highlights many flaws within the nursing industry, and the experienced nurses surveyed collectively and repeatedly identified the same issues. “Our data reveals a troubling paradox,” says Dr. Cameron Duncan, Dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University. “While students are hopeful and eager to begin practicing as a nurse, our experienced workforce is sending distress signals loud and clear. This moment requires bold, coordinated action at every level—from nurse educators to hospital executives to national policy makers.”

Working nurses who were surveyed identified the changes that they would like to make to the industry. The changes include prioritizing nursing duties over clerical work, providing all nurses with healthcare, regardless of their status, improving patient ratios and pay, and offering flexible hours and support, such as 24-hour child care.

The report concludes by identifying top priorities to transform nursing:

• Building strategies to attract and retain nurses with flexibility, respect, and opportunities
• Offering compensation that reflects the value nurses bring to help keep them in the profession
• Supporting policies that establish a work-life balance
• Developing strong leadership with open communication, empathy, and support
• Simplifying and streamlining the credentialing process, so nurses can focus on patients, not paperwork

Given the nurse shortages the senior care industry faces, this report presents a valuable look at the issues that nurses continue to face. The stresses of the pandemic may have receded, but nurses are still dealing with high workloads, intense stress, and scheduling and salary challenges. Focusing on the issues and desired changes identified in this report may help senior care communities develop better strategies to attract and retain nursing staff.

Paige Cerulli

Paige Cerulli is a contributing writer to i Advance Senior Care.