As health systems continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, having highly-trained nursing staff to deploy is a critical part of the hospital industry’s strategy. The risk of viral exposure, the continued treatment of high-acuity COVID-19 patients and high levels of on-the-job stress all contribute to nurse burnout—prompting some nurses to leave the profession entirely. Health care budgets during COVID-19 have suffered, with hospitals paying $24 billion more per year for labor. Health systems are increasingly competing with higher-paying staffing agencies to secure nurses. Staffing has become the latest bidding war, inspiring administrators to seek the best ways to attract, allocate and retain nursing talent. Read More >>>