The majority of clinicians said their typical patient ratio has remained the same or decreased compared to last year, a Vivian report found.
The 2024 "Vivian Healthcare Workforce Report" surveyed 863 clinicians between Dec. 12, 2023, and Jan. 11, 2024, in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The survey covered topics such as mental health, burnout, work-family balance, workplace violence and patient ratios. Of the respondents, 57% worked as nurses, 27% worked in allied health, 12% worked as CMAs or CNAs and 4% worked in advanced practice.
Here are three stats to know about nurse-to-patient ratios:
- When asked how the typical patient ratio changed compared to last year, 39% of clinicians said it had increased, 47% said it had remained the same and 14% said it decreased.
- About 81% of clinicians agreed (11%) or strongly agreed (70%) that their state should have laws governing staff-to-patient ratios.
- Sixty-five percent of respondents said they would consider leaving a job that wasn't staffed properly or safely.