Florida’s Hospital Nurse Vacancy and Turnover Rates are Lower Than the National Average, Improving 38% from 2022 to 2023 Amid Ongoing Workforce Shortage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2023
CONTACT: JULIET HAUSER
(941) 830-2922
Tallahassee, FL – Nurse turnover and job vacancy rates are stabilizing, according to new survey data from the Florida Hospital Association (FHA). Nursing vacancy rates and turnover rates are both down by 38%, with many hospitals experiencing even greater reductions.
The average nurse vacancy rate in Florida hospitals is 13%, down from 21% in 2022, and the average nurse turnover rate is 20%, down from 32% in 2022, according to survey data published in the FHA’s Workforce Vacancy and Turnover Report for 2023.
The data demonstrate the effectiveness of Florida hospitals’ strategic efforts and investments to grow and retain the state’s health care workforce amid an ongoing shortage of nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals.
“Florida hospitals are mending the heart of the state’s health care system – its workforce. Hospitals across the Sunshine State have prioritized the proactive recruitment of talented team members, and they have implemented diverse and creative retention initiatives to ensure their teams are valued for the essential and lifesaving caregiving work they do,” said Mary C. Mayhew, President and CEO of FHA. “To maintain this momentum and to continue to address the forecasted shortage of nearly 60,000 nurses by 2035 in Florida and the shortage of allied health care staff such as lab technicians, surgical assistants and respiratory therapists, hospitals continue to advocate for legislative support and investment in educating the future health care workforce and investing in effective career ladders and pathways. Locally, our hospitals are partnering with community colleges and universities to fund and implement multi-faceted initiatives such as scholarships, matching grants with the schools, and tuition reimbursement to educate the pipeline of health care talent as well as innovative recruitment and retention strategies to attract and retain high quality, effective health care teams.”
The FHA survey data also highlighted that Florida leads the country in successfully reducing nursing vacancy and turnover rates.
Florida’s hospitals have invested in creative and far-ranging recruitment and retention strategies. Hospitals have partnered with universities and community colleges to build talent pipelines, invested in technology to increase efficiencies, and implemented workplace safety programs to support employee resilience and well-being.
Despite the improvements in retention, Florida still faces a serious shortage of health care professionals. A nurse shortage of nearly 60,000 and a physician shortage of 36,000 by 2035 is projected.
Florida’s population is the fastest growing in the U.S., and a sufficient number of qualified health care workers is critical for meeting the needs of Floridians and visitors.
Hospitals will continue to work alongside policymakers, colleges and universities, and industry leaders to implement long-term solutions for the state’s health care workforce crisis.
The Vacancy/Turnover Survey for Florida Hospitals was distributed to all hospitals in the state, requesting specific information on the number of vacancies, separated employees, total Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs), and part-time employees. Using the data collected, vacancy and turnover rates were calculated for each participating hospital and aggregated to get the state rate. The survey findings were then condensed into a one-page summary report, providing a quick overview of the workforce dynamics in Florida hospitals. This summary serves as a valuable resource for policymakers seeking insights into staffing challenges within the healthcare sector.
Review the full report and the quick guide on the Florida Nurse Workforce Vacancy and Turnover Rates for 2023.
ABOUT THE FHA
Founded in 1927, the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) is the leading voice for health care in the State of Florida. Through representation and advocacy, education, and informational services, the Florida Hospital Association supports the mission of over 200 hospitals and health care systems to provide the highest quality of care to the patients we serve. Led by President and CEO Mary Mayhew, the Florida Hospital Association is located in Tallahassee and is governed by a Board of Trustees and officers elected by the member institutions.
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