In healthcare, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of your patients. Maintaining low nurse-to-patient ratios, even during periods of increased demand, is critical to ensuring positive outcomes. An extended workforce offers the flexibility needed to manage fluctuations in patient volume while keeping your permanent staff supported and engaged.
Nurse staffing has become one of the most pressing challenges for hospitals and facilities across the country. With an aging population, increasing patient acuity, and a growing number of nurses leaving the profession, we’re facing a staffing shortage that could reach critical levels in the coming years.
The Rising Shortage of Nurses
The numbers speak for themselves. According to the American Hospital Association, by 2026, the healthcare worker shortage will reach 3.2 million, further straining the system. Yet, despite this increasing need, a study from McKinsey & Company reported that 29% of nurses are considering leaving their roles due to burnout, stress, and a lack of work-life balance.
For at least a decade, nurses have been in short supply for several reasons, including:
- Age. The workforce is aging. One million nurses were past age 50 in 2022. By 2030, 80,000 will have retired each year.
- Nursing Education. Nursing schools are struggling with a lack of available faculty, and they cannot produce enough new nurses to replace those who leave. New nurses who do enter the workforce do not have the experience and knowledge retirees take with them when they leave.
- Burnout. The remaining nurses are overwhelmed, working excessive hours, and burning out. They cannot perform at their best, and some leave the job or even the profession.
These statistics are more than just numbers — they represent a growing gap in healthcare that, if not addressed, will significantly impact the quality of care facilities can provide. It’s essential that we not only recognize these challenges but also take action to overcome them. And it starts with understanding the crucial role nurse-to-patient ratios play in healthcare outcomes.
An Aging Population
Quite the opposite is happening on the patient side of the equation. In the 15 years between 2021 and 2036, the United States population is expected to increase by 8.4%, with the senior population (age 65 and above) growing by 34.1%. You can expect a substantial increase in chronic illnesses and demand for health services as the eldest baby boomers approach the age of 80.
Why Nurse-to-Patient Ratios Matter
Nurse-to-patient ratios are the foundation of quality care. When facilities are staffed appropriately, nurses can spend more time with each patient, delivering the compassionate and attentive care that’s expected in today’s healthcare environment. A balanced ratio also means nurses can work at the top of their license, minimizing errors, reducing stress, and improving patient outcomes.
But when the ratio tips too far in the wrong direction, problems arise. A higher nurse-to-patient ratio means nurses are stretched thin, resulting in missed patient needs, delayed responses, and a lack of personalized care. Studies show that increasing a nurse’s workload by just one patient raises the likelihood of in-hospital death by 7%. Clearly, maintaining the right staffing levels isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a necessity for patient safety and staff well-being.
The Consequences of High Nurse-to-Patient Ratios
When nurse-to-patient ratios climb, both patients and nurses suffer. Nurses experience increased burnout, which leads to higher turnover rates — a cycle that only perpetuates the staffing crisis. This strain on healthcare workers has far-reaching effects, from decreased job satisfaction to compromised patient care.
Patients, on the other hand, face longer wait times, delayed treatments, and a greater risk of errors in their care. In fact, in a study of Illinois hospitals, where the nurse-to-patient ratios ranged from 1:4.2 to 1:7.6, the National Institutes of Health reported that for each additional patient assigned to a nurse, there was a 16% increase in 30-day mortality and a 5% increase in an additional day in the hospital. Had there been a 1:4 ratio throughout the study period, the hospitals would have saved 1,595 lives and $117 billion.
This is why it’s crucial for healthcare leaders to prioritize staffing levels and take proactive steps to avoid these dangerous and costly outcomes.
A Smart, Cost-Effective Extended Workforce Solution
One of the most effective ways to maintain safe nurse-to-patient ratios, especially during times of increased demand, is by utilizing an extended workforce. To avoid high, unsafe ratios, your staffing must rise and fall with the demand for care. Of course, a solid base of full-time, experienced nurses is essential, but when situations like sudden absences, seasonal flu spikes, or staff retirements occur, per diem shifts provide the flexibility needed to maintain low ratios.
Temporary staff supplied by an extended workforce improve service by increasing the total number of skilled nurses available during peak demand. This helps ensure that each patient receives the attention they need, keeping patient outcomes positive. Additionally, these nurses help take on the workload of full-time staff, reducing burnout and improving work-life balance, which is critical in retaining permanent staff.
Another key benefit of an extended workforce is its cost-effectiveness. These nurses are available only when needed, allowing you to balance your budget while ensuring patient care remains uninterrupted. If you work with a trusted workforce management partner, the recruitment and credentialing processes are handled for you, freeing up your time to focus on patient care.
Medely: Your Partner for Extended Workforce Management
This is where Medely comes in. Medely’s platform unifies the extended workforce, taking the recruiting work off your hands through our national talent network of over 300,000 healthcare professionals who are fully credentialed and ready to support your facility. Medely helps you control labor costs and maintain safe staffing levels. In fact, one case study found that a surgical center saved 18% in labor costs by using Medely’s extended workforce.
Planning Your Extended Workforce Strategy
Optimal staffing requires careful planning. The American Nursing Association outlines four key stages in the staffing process:
- Forecasting. Plan your needs using current data and policies.
- Scheduling. Anticipate staff you will need over the next two or three months.
- Staffing. Determine what you’ll need for each shift.
- Improving. Edit areas of forecasting that need updates.
It’s crucial to start by assessing your full-time staffing needs and then build a flexible staffing plan to adjust as demand fluctuates. At Medely, we help you integrate an extended workforce into your broader strategy, keeping nurse-to-patient ratios low while maintaining budget control.
A Simple, User-Friendly System
Partnering with Medely also gives you access to a user-friendly online system that simplifies staffing management. With no minimum or maximum shift requirements, facilities can quickly sign up, post assignments and per diem shifts, manage schedules, and control costs, all from our app. It’s an intuitive solution designed to meet the demands of modern healthcare staffing.
Lowering Ratios, Better Patient Care
At Medely, we understand the importance of balancing a strong core of full-time nurses with a flexible extended workforce to adapt to both short-term and long-term challenges. Our platform connects you with talented, fully credentialed nurses whenever you need them, giving you the confidence that your facility is prepared, no matter the circumstances.
Let Medely help you optimize your workforce to keep your nurse-to-patient ratios low, protect your budget, and, most importantly, improve patient care.
