Missouri Hospital Association report shows easing of record high vacancy and turnover
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Hospital Association released its 2023 workforce report on Wednesday, showing a drop in the vacancy and turnover that has plagued the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report shows a slight decline in the high vacancy and turnover rates experienced in 2021. The easing occurred in all units of the hospital, as well as within the nurse segment.
Though turnover and vacancy rates are decreasing, the 2022 vacancy and turnover rates were still higher than historical rates.
The statewide turnover rate dropped from 24.7% in 2021 to 23.1% in 2022. The vacancy rate dropped from 17% in 2021 to 14.8% in 2022. The percentages reflect the majority of health care professions.
Nursing turnover rates dropped to 19.4% in 2022 from 22.1% in 2021. The report notes that the 19.4% turnover rate is "costly and disruptive for health care systems."
Nursing vacancy rates dropped to 17.4% in 2022 from 19.8% in 2021. According to the survey cited in the report, Missouri has 33,178 nurses working in hospitals and 6,982 open nursing positions.
The vacancy rate in Central Missouri was below the statewide number at 12.4% but the turnover rate of 22.3% in the region surpassed the statewide number.
"We turn away a significant number, thousands of applicants every year that want to be nurses, because we don't have the faculty to teach those people. And, in some cases, we don't have the space," said spokesperson for MHA, Dave Dillon.
According to the University of Missouri's Sinclair School of Nursing website, the 2021-2022 school year had the highest number of graduates in it's combined programs.
According to a study done by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, approximately 97,000 registered nurses left the profession in the last two years due to stress, burnout and retirement.
Check back for updates to this developing story.
