Nursing Trends in 2021 and Beyond

In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, one thing is sure, and that is change. Advancements in science and technology influence trends and drive change. Current events also play a key role—none more so than the COVID-19 pandemic that rocked the medical world and will continue to impact change in the realm of healthcare services for decades.

Unfortunately, challenges that the world of nursing had already been fighting, namely a long-term shortage of nurses, intensified dramatically during the pandemic. Pre-COVID projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics listed nursing as one of the top occupations for job growth through 2028, with an expected growth rate of 12%, far faster than the average.

Addressing the pandemic brought about changes, changes that have transitioned into trends. Here are three of the noteworthy trends expected to continue into 2022 and beyond.

Greater attention to and respect for nurse self-care

By the very nature of the tasks and responsibilities it encompasses, nursing has always been a stressful profession. Factor in a global health crisis and the stress level for many dedicated healthcare workers pushed past the point of overwhelming. The resulting burnout that plagued nurses in masses forced those in leadership and management positions to take a hard look at the plight of their nursing staff. As the spotlight shone on the reality of the situation, an emphasis on self-care, and the need to prioritize it within the healthcare system, grew. Now, many organizations have initiated processes and programs that can address the needs and concerns of their nursing staff. While it may have taken a worldwide health crisis for self-care to get the attention it deserves, this is one trend that we are happy to see take root and multiply.

More opportunities for online education 

Though increasing pre-COVID, the nudging to pursue higher education and seek a nursing degree, has soared since. While more colleges and universities had already begun offering online nursing programs to address the nurse shortage through more viable options, those opportunities exploded when the world of learning went online. And those options are expected to continue to increase.

Many already working in healthcare positions can only consider enrolling in higher education opportunities that leave room to continue working full-time and meet family obligations. Online programs, many offering both bachelor’s and master’s degree options, provide the means to advance one’s education while continuing to work and tending to family.

An increase in the demand for travel nurses

While travel nursing had been experiencing a season of growth pre-COVID, the pandemic increased the need for travel nurses in a big way. The flexibility and unique skills these professionals possess made them invaluable to organizations that found themselves truly overwhelmed with caring for patients, experiencing staffing shortages, or the crisis scenario of facing both situations simultaneously.

The ability to be “boots on the ground” where most needed saved countless lives and shored up weary staff at hospitals across the nation during the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak. And this exceptional crop of nurses will continue to be a stabilizing force as the nursing industry strives to climb out of the decade’s prolonged staffing shortage.

Nurses give tirelessly of themselves time and time again. We thank and applaud them for their dedication and commitment to excellence in patient care and the difference they make each day.