Nursing in 2025: No Relief in Sight as Burnout, Stress & Short Staffing Persist

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2025--

Cross Country Healthcare (NASDAQ: CCRN), a leader in workforce solutions and tech-enabled staffing, recruitment, and advisory services, today released its fourth annual survey Beyond the Bedside: The State of Nursing in 2025. In partnership with Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the study paints a sobering picture of a profession at a breaking point—where stress, burnout, and chronic short staffing continue to jeopardize the well-being of nurses and the quality of patient care nationwide.

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The findings are drawn from 2,600 voices across the nursing profession, including seasoned RNs, LPNs, APRNs, and students preparing to enter the field. Despite the spotlight placed on nurses throughout the pandemic and the promises of reform, little progress has been made—and the consequences are becoming impossible to ignore.

“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, yet they’re still being asked to carry an unsustainable load,” said John A. Martins, President & CEO of Cross Country. “This year’s report is not just data—it’s a resounding cry for change. If we don’t act now, we risk losing an entire generation of dedicated professionals.”

Key Findings from the 2025 Survey:

“Our data reveals a troubling paradox,” added Dr. Cameron Duncan, Dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University. “While students are hopeful and eager to begin practicing as a nurse, our experienced workforce is sending distress signals loud and clear. This moment requires bold, coordinated action at every level—from nurse educators to hospital executives to national policy makers".

A Roadmap for Reinvention

The report outlines five critical priorities that healthcare leaders must address to stabilize the nursing profession and restore hope:

“This isn’t just about adding perks—it’s about rebuilding trust,” Martins emphasized. “The future of healthcare depends on the well-being of our nurses. We must create a system where they feel heard, valued, and empowered to thrive—not just survive.”

As the nation faces a growing care gap, Cross Country and Florida Atlantic University urge industry leaders to leverage this data to spark real, measurable change—because supporting nurses today is an investment in the health of tomorrow.

To download the full report, visit https://www.crosscountry.com/beyondthebedside.

About Cross Country Healthcare

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. is a market-leading, tech-enabled workforce solutions and advisory firm with 38 years of industry experience and insight. We help clients tackle complex labor-related challenges and achieve high-quality outcomes while reducing complexity and improving visibility through data-driven insights. Diversity, equality, and inclusion are at the heart of the organization’s overall corporate social responsibility program. It is closely aligned with our core values to create a better future for its people, communities, and stockholders.

Cross Country Healthcare (NASDAQ: CCRN), a leader in workforce solutions and tech-enabled staffing, recruitment, and advisory services, released its fourth annual survey, Beyond the Bedside: The State of Nursing in 2025 report. In partnership with Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the study paints a sobering picture of a profession at a breaking point—where stress, burnout, and chronic short staffing continue to jeopardize the well-being of nurses and the quality of patient care nationwide.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Playing at Oregon's Matthew Knight Arena for the first time in five years, New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu drew a roar from the capacity crowd by proclaiming, “Go Ducks!”

Ionescu, a three-time WNBA All-Star, made the return trip to Eugene along with Liberty teammate and fellow former Oregon standout Nyara Sabally for a preseason game against the Toyota Antelopes of Japan.

It was the fourth time this preseason the WNBA has reunited college fans with their former stars. Caitlin Clark returned to Iowa, Angel Reese went back to LSU and a trio of former Notre Dame stars visited South Bend, Indiana.

Ionescu scored 25 points, including six 3-pointers, in the 84-61 victory over the Antelopes. Sabally had 7.

“This was just a thank you,” Ionescu said. “This wasn't any kind of celebration for me. I think it was just me wanting to celebrate the University of Oregon and what they've done for me in my career.”

The crowd gave Ionescu a standing ovation after she hit a 3-pointer from the midcourt logo with 6:03 left. She waved to the crowd and put her hand on her heart before going to the bench.

“It's great to be back home,” Ionescu told the sellout crowd before the game.

Ionescu was a senior in 2020 for then-No. 2 Oregon when the season ended prematurely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oregon defeated No. 7 Stanford in the Pac-12 Tournament championship that year and the Ducks were expected to be among the top-seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Sabally was a redshirt freshman that year, but did not play because of an ACL injury.

Ionescu ended her college career as the NCAA's all-time triple-doubles leader, among both men and women, with 26. She was drafted No. 1 by the Liberty in the 2020 WNBA draft.

Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson declared Monday “Sabrina Ionescu Day" in honor of Ionescu, who won a WNBA title with the Liberty last year as well as a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

“I'm glad they're getting their love,” teammate Natasha Cloud said of Ionescu and Sabally. “They deserve it. Both of them have grown so much from being here, and obviously being able to win the (WNBA) championship last year, to come back here and celebrate with the fans.”

The Liberty announced earlier Monday it exercised Sabally’s fourth-year option, which will keep her with the team through the 2026 season.

Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai and Oregon coach Kelly Graves were among those at the game.

“It is a really cool idea. The preseason has been going to a lot of the college campuses of their star players and Sabrina is a franchise player for us and has done wonderful things,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “So it’s great to come back where it all started.”

Graves noted that if the opening rounds of NCAA Tournament had been played in 2020, Ionescu would have had at least one more game in Eugene to thank the fans.

“There would have been a bit of closure. She would have known, ‘This is my last game at Matthew Knight Arena,’ and she just never got that opportunity," Graves said. "So that's why I thought this was really cool to do.”

The WNBA returns to Oregon next year, when an as-yet unnamed expansion team kicks off in Portland.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, left, talks with assistant coach Zach O'Brien, right, before a preseason WNBA basketball game against the Toyota Antelopes, of Japan, in Eugene, Oregon, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Anne M. Peterson).

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, left, gives autographs before a preseason WNBA basketball game against the Toyota Antelopes, of Japan, in Eugene, Oregon, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Anne M. Peterson).

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu laughs during warmups before a preseason WNBA basketball game against the Toyota Antelopes, of Japan, in Eugene, Oregon, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Anne M. Peterson).