Nursing in crisis? Why 96% of nurses consider quitting

A new survey by MyPerfectResume paints a stark picture of the healthcare system in the US, revealing that 96% of nurses have seriously contemplated leaving the profession.

Despite 94% saying they would choose nursing again and 97% expressing career satisfaction, these figures reveal a profession caught in a paradox – nurses remain deeply committed to their calling, even as the system fails them repeatedly.

The study, based on responses from nearly 900 nurses across the US, brings to light what’s been brewing beneath the surface for years: an unsustainable mix of chronic understaffing, emotional exhaustion, and financial strain that’s pushing healthcare workers to breaking point.

In most workplaces, burnout is considered an anomaly. In nursing, it’s become the status quo. A staggering 83% of nurses say they feel burned out at least weekly, and 36% report experiencing burnout every single shift. The data suggests a cycle that’s both vicious and familiar: burntout staff leave, staffing gaps widen, and those who remain are burdened with more work, leading to even deeper fatigue.

Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume, warned: “Burnout at this scale doesn’t just affect nurses’ mental and physical health, but can also have a ripple effect across an entire healthcare system. Fatigue-related errors become more likely – and in healthcare, those mistakes could have life-or-death consequences.”

The reasons people become nurses are often noble. Some 32% cited a passion for helping others, and 25% were drawn by the fascination with medical science. More than half of respondents (52%) are still “very satisfied” with their careers. But the cracks are showing. Nearly 6 in 10 nurses say they regularly think about leaving – not because they’ve fallen out of love with the work, but because they’re tired of doing it without receiving proper and sufficient support.

Healthcare employers, Escalera said, may be unintentionally “relying on the dedication nurses have to patient care while overlooking the toll this crisis is taking on their mental health, physical health, and overall well-being”. It’s like asking a racehorse to keep running while tightening the reins.

More than half (56%) of nurses say their teams are more understaffed now than in previous years. One in two nurses (48%) believes that these shortages significantly impact the quality of patient care, and 44% report their hospitals are leaning heavily on travel or temp nurses to plug the gaps.

The problem isn’t just the headcount; it’s the knock-on effect. Nurses are clocking up hours that never make it onto a payslip. Nearly half (47%) are putting in 5 to 10 unpaid hours each week. And with 59% working 41 to 45 hours officially, the burnout maths start to add up.

The financial pressures are just as acute as the emotional ones. A staggering 92% of nurses are taking on side gigs to make ends meet, with 43% doing so year-round. Whether it’s picking up shifts at another facility or pursuing entirely different lines of work, the majority are burning the candle at both ends.

“It is now time for the healthcare field to ask a very important question,” Escalera said.

It’s not just income that’s being sacrificed. One in five nurses regularly buys their own work supplies, from scrubs to personal protective equipment – costs that ideally should be borne by the employer, not the employee.

The decision to consider leaving isn’t about lack of passion – it’s about system failure. The top reasons for nurses contemplating an exit include:

• Overwhelming workload and long hours (30%)
• Limited career advancement opportunities (28%)
• Chronic stress and emotional toll (23%)

Many are preparing for life after nursing. Over half (56%) say they would consider returning to school or gaining new certifications to switch careers.

While 63% say their employers have made some effort to address burnout, many feel the actions are either symbolic or insufficient. Nurses cite the following as the biggest burnout triggers:

• 37% lack mental health support
• 36% raise concerns around workplace safety
• 34% point to long shifts and mandatory overtime

“To truly support and nurture nurses, healthcare employers must focus on treating burnout, one of the underlying causes of nurses’ stress … Providing access to counselling, peer support groups, or even protected time to decompress can go a long way in showing nurses that their wellbeing is genuinely valued,” Escalera said.

To retain nursing talent, healthcare leaders must shift focus from survival to sustainability. Career development is a key pressure point: 28% of nurses cited limited growth as a major reason for wanting to leave.

Organisations that provide continuing education, mentorship, and transparent promotion pathways will not only keep their talent but elevate care quality.

Most importantly, hospitals must build cultures that treat nurses as people, not just providers. That means listening, investing, and valuing the human side of health care.

For those feeling stuck, the path forward may involve either pivoting within the profession or stepping out of it altogether. “Strategy is always the key to finding and acquiring new opportunities,” Escalera advised.

For those exploring new roles:

• Update CVs to showcase strengths and experience
• Network beyond the hospital floor
• Ask tough questions about work culture during interviews

For those choosing to stay, it’s about drawing clearer lines. Setting boundaries, logging workloads, and having honest discussions with management can help turn the tide.

“When nurses are supported, they can help create a healthier environment for their colleagues, their patients, and the healthcare system as a whole,” Escalera said.

While nursing is a calling, no one should have to answer it with their wellbeing on the line.