Ascension Travel Nursing: A Vicious Cycle of Turnover for Hospitals

The nursing profession has always been renowned for its flexibility, but recent developments have taken this flexibility to a new level. The use of travel nurses, which began in the 1980s as a response to nursing shortages, has become increasingly prevalent. However, this trend has created a vicious cycle that is affecting hospitals across the country.

Traveling ICU nurses, in particular, are now pulling in salaries of up to $10,000 per week, significantly more than what staff nurses earn. This discrepancy has led to a situation where staff nurses may feel compelled to join the ranks of traveling nurses, further exacerbating the problem. The result is a constant turnover of nursing staff, with hospitals struggling to retain their employees.

The reliance on travel nurses also means that hospitals are having to pay them increasingly high rates, which in turn creates pressure on the hospital's budget. This vicious cycle is unsustainable and may soon lead to a reckoning for hospitals trying to stabilize their worn-out workforces.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, intensive care units (ICUs) are facing unprecedented challenges. The only thing keeping these units fully staffed is a rotating cast of traveling nurses. However, this arrangement has its drawbacks, including unpredictable benefits and unstable professional relationships.

One travel nurse, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared her concerns about the situation. 'There's a difference between knowing my calling and knowing my worth,' she said. 'I didn't sign up for the facility taking advantage of the fact that I have a calling.' Her contract typically lasts a few months, but she hopes to return to her home hospital eventually.

Travel nurses take on temporary assignments in hospitals or other healthcare facilities that are facing staffing shortages. These assignments pay more than staff positions, but they also come with trade-offs, such as unpredictable benefits and unstable professional relationships.

In conclusion, the trend of travel nursing has created a vicious cycle that is affecting hospitals across the country. While it may be a solution to short-term staffing shortages, it is not a sustainable long-term solution. Hospitals must find ways to stabilize their workforces and retain their employees in order to provide high-quality patient care.

Ascension travel nursing