Where are the critical care nurses? A statewide analysis of actively practicing nurses’ transitions out of the clinical area

Abstract

BackgroundCritical care nurse shortages and burnout have spurred interest in the adequacy of nursing supply in the United States. Nurses can move between clinical areas without additional education or licensure. PurposeTo identify transitions that critical care nurses make into non-critical care areas, and examine the prevalence and characteristics associated with those transitions. MethodsSecondary analysis of state licensure data from 2001-2013. DiscussionMore than 75% of nurses (n = 8,408) left critical care in the state, with 44% making clinical area transitions within 5 years. Critical care nurses transitioned into emergency, peri-operative, and cardiology areas. Those observed in recession years were less likely to make transitions; female and nurses with masters/doctorate degrees were more likely. ConclusionThis study used state workforce data to examine transitions out of critical care nursing. Findings can inform policies to retain and recruit nurses back into critical care, especially during public health crises.