A Minnesota Hospital Association report found that since the pandemic, nurse vacancies have fallen but physician vacancies have risen.
The report used survey data from human resources at most Minnesota hospitals, health systems, clinics and other care settings, according to a Sept. 3 association news release.
Here are six findings:
- In 2023, nurse vacancies declined for the first time since the pandemic. However, outside of the Twin Cities, nurse departures increased 22% compared to 2023.
- The number of working nurses grew for the fifth straight year, but barely 2 in 5 registered nurses worked full time.
- Average registered nurse pay hit nearly $95,000 in 2023, a 6.7% increase from 2022.
- Diversity in the workforce increased to 13.4% for nurses and about 15% among overall hospital workforces.
- One in 7 general practice physicians will reach retirement age in the next five years, and for specialty physicians, the number is nearly 1 in 5.
"This year's MHA Workforce Report has some bright spots and shows that strategies like flexible schedules and pay increases can help declines in the workforce," the report said. "But our state needs more efforts to ensure that Minnesotans have long term access to the care they need, when and where they need it."