Global nursing crisis worsens as violence, burnout, and mental health issues surge

A new international study has revealed a worsening crisis in the global nursing workforce, with widespread burnout, workplace violence, and mental health struggles among frontline healthcare workers. The study, published in the International Nursing Review, surveyed 9,387 nurses across 35 countries, highlighting the severe challenges they face.

Researchers found that anxiety and depression rates among nurses ranged from 23 percent to 61 percent. The most commonly reported issues at work included exhaustion (57 percent), anxiety (44 percent), and feeling overwhelmed (41 percent). The situation varied significantly between countries, with nearly 70 percent of nurses in Brazil reporting work-related anxiety compared to just 23.8 percent in Indonesia.

The study also found that nurses continue to suffer personal losses linked to their profession. One in five nurses reported losing a family member to COVID-19, while 35 percent lost a friend and 34 percent lost a coworker.

Adding to the crisis, nearly half of all nurses surveyed (48 percent) said they had experienced aggression or violence from the public because of their role. Lead researcher Allison Squires from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing called this an “extremely concerning” issue that threatens the safety of healthcare workers worldwide.

Despite the scale of the crisis, only 24 percent of nurses reported having access to adequate mental health services from their employers. Many were forced to rely on personal coping strategies such as exercise, spiritual practices, and support from family.

“The increased reliance on self-care suggests that nurses have had to find their own ways to deal with stress and burnout,” Squires said. “But self-care alone is not enough to fix this crisis. There is an urgent need for proper mental health support to ensure a resilient nursing workforce.”

The findings have intensified calls for healthcare policymakers to take immediate action. Pamela Cipriano, president of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), warned that ongoing burnout and stress were pushing nurses to leave the profession, worsening the global shortage of healthcare workers.

“We need governments to invest in nursing, improve working conditions, and ensure competitive salaries,” Cipriano said. “If urgent action is not taken, the impact will be felt hardest in already struggling healthcare systems.”

The study was conducted as part of the Global Consortium of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, a research network examining the long-term impact of the crisis on the nursing workforce.