Recognize Nurse Burnout + Reclaim Balance

Nurse Burnout Statistics in the U.S.

In a recent 2025 survey by Florida Atlantic University, 65% of nurses across all license levels (RNs, LPNs, APRNs, and nursing students) reported high levels of stress and burnout. Only about 60% of nurses said they would choose nursing again if given the choice. 

The problem extends to workforce retention. Since 2022, over 138,000 nurses have exited the profession, and of those considering leaving in the next five years, around 41% cite stress and burnout as their primary reason. 

Regionally, Colorado currently reports the highest rates of nurse burnout, while Rhode Island reports the lowest. Nationally, approximately 7 million U.S. nurses may be affected, with nearly half experiencing significant symptoms.

Causes of nurse burnout

Nurse burnout is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors that stem from both systemic challenges and workplace conditions. Here are some common causes:

High workload & staffing shortages

Understaffing is a major contributor to nurse burnout, as high patient-to-nurse ratios and mandatory overtime often stretch nurses too thin. This constant overload leads to fatigue, increased stress, and less capacity to deliver safe, effective patient care.

Lack of autonomy & support

Many nurses report a lack of control over their work environment, with limited input into schedules, patient assignments, and organizational decisions. When coupled with insufficient support from leadership and poor communication within teams, this can significantly lower nurses' job satisfaction and increase their overall emotional exhaustion. Nurses need to feel empowered and heard in their workplaces in order to thrive.

Emotional labor & compassion fatigue

Nurses are routinely exposed to human suffering, grief, and trauma, all of which take an emotional toll over time. This emotional labor can lead to compassion fatigue — a form of secondary traumatic stress characterized by feelings of helplessness and emotional numbing. As a result of this, empathy wanes along with the quality of nurse-patient interactions.

Sleep deprivation & shift work

Irregular schedules, back-to-back shifts, and mandatory overtime often prevent nurses from getting adequate rest. Many nurses report sleeping fewer than six hours before their shift, which impairs cognitive performance. Chronic sleep deprivation reduces a nurse’s ability to cope with stress and can worsen existing physical and mental health conditions.

Administrative burden & paperwork

The rise in documentation and electronic health record (EHR) requirements has left many nurses spending more time on administrative tasks and less on patient care. This shift in workload reduces the time available for meaningful patient engagement, which is a key driver of many nurses' job satisfaction. The constant pressure to chart thoroughly and accurately adds another layer of stress to an already stressful role. 

Compensation & workplace culture

Compensation that doesn't align with workloads, combined with negative workplace cultures, also plays a significant role in nurse burnout. Nurses often feel undervalued and unsupported, especially in environments where workplace bullying, lateral violence, or patient aggression aren't adequately addressed. This reduces employee morale and can lead to increased staff turnover. 

Why this matters

The effects of burnout ripple far beyond the nurse experiencing it. Numerous studies have linked high levels of nurse burnout to adverse patient outcomes, including increased medical errors, higher infection rates, and more frequent falls. 

Burnout also leads to higher rates of turnover, which in turn strains the healthcare system and impacts patient access to quality care. Ensuring nurse well-being isn't just a workforce issue; it is crucial to ensuring patient safety.