Cross Country Healthcare, FAU Release 2026 State of Nursing Report
Driven by purpose but under growing strain, nurses nationwide report rising burnout, staffing shortages and pay concerns – highlighting urgent calls for flexibility, security and stronger support.
Survey Snapshot: Cross Country Healthcare, in collaboration with ̽Ƶ’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, released its fifth annual report, Purpose Under Pressure: The State of Nursing in 2026, based on responses from more than 2,000 nurses and nursing students nationwide. The survey provides a comprehensive view of the profession, highlighting what motivates nurses, how workplace pressures are evolving and where healthcare organizations can better support their workforce. Findings show that purpose remains a defining force, with 83% of nurses entering the field to make a meaningful impact, up from 66% in 2022, even as practical considerations like flexibility (62%) and job security (52%) play a growing role in career decisions.
At the same time, the report reveals rising strain across the profession since 2022. Burnout has climbed from 39% to 67%, concerns about pay and benefits have more than doubled to 53%, and nearly half of nurses (49%) report feeling undervalued. Short staffing and high patient ratios have also increased to 61%. Despite these challenges, the future pipeline remains strong, with 99% of nursing students expressing optimism about their careers. Overall, the findings point to a resilient but pressured workforce and outline clear opportunities for healthcare leaders to improve retention through greater flexibility, support and investment in the nursing experience.
Cross Country Healthcare (NASDAQ: CCRN), a market-leading provider of workforce solutions and tech-enabled staffing, recruitment and advisory services, today released its fifth annual nursing survey, Purpose Under Pressure: The State of Nursing in 2026, developed in collaboration with ̽Ƶ’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
Based on insights from more than 2,000 nurses and nursing students across the United States, the study offers a comprehensive look at the current state of the profession, including what continues to motivate nurses, where workplace pressures are increasing and how healthcare organizations can better support the workforce at the center of patient care.
The findings point to a profession defined by resilience, purpose and change. Despite continued workforce pressures, nurses remain deeply connected to the meaning of their work. Eighty-three percent of nurses say they entered the profession to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives, up from 66% in 2022.
“Purpose remains one of the strongest forces in nursing,” said Kevin Clark, chairman and CEO of Cross Country Healthcare. “Nurses continue to choose this profession because they want to make a difference. At the same time, the data makes clear that the workforce experience is changing, and healthcare organizations have an opportunity to respond with more flexibility, better support and a renewed focus on retention.”
The survey also shows that practical career considerations are playing a larger role in how nurses evaluate their future. Sixty-two percent of respondents cited flexibility and lifestyle as key drivers, while 52% cited job security. These findings reflect a workforce that remains mission-driven while also seeking greater balance, stability and long-term sustainability.
Since 2022, the data shows several areas where pressure on nurses has increased:
- Burnout rose from 39% to 67%
- Pay and benefits concerns more than doubled, from 24% to 53%
- Nearly half of nurses, 49%, report feeling undervalued, up from 26%
- Short staffing and high patient ratios increased from 53% to 61%
“These findings are more than warning signs. They are a roadmap,” said Hank Drummond, Ph.D., enterprise chief nurse executive and divisional senior vice president at Cross Country Healthcare. “Nurses are telling us what they need to continue doing the work they love in a way that is sustainable. Now it is up to healthcare leaders to listen, respond and take meaningful action.”
Even as current nurses report increasing pressure, the future pipeline remains strong. Ninety-nine percent of nursing students say they are excited about their future in the profession, driven by a passion for helping others, confidence in career stability and a desire to contribute to meaningful work.
“Today’s nursing students are entering the profession with optimism, purpose and a realistic understanding of the challenges ahead,” said Cameron Duncan, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, the Holli Rockwell Eminent Dean at FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “That combination matters. It gives healthcare leaders, educators and workforce partners an important opportunity to better prepare, support and retain the next generation of nurses.”
The report underscores a profession at an important moment. Nurses remain committed to their calling, but the systems around them must continue to evolve. From staffing models and scheduling flexibility to career development, recognition, compensation and technology-enabled workforce planning, the findings point to clear opportunities to strengthen the nursing experience and support better outcomes across care settings.
To download the full report, visit: .
About the Study:
Purpose Under Pressure: The State of Nursing in 2026 is based on responses from more than 2,000 nurses and nursing students across the United States, representing a range of roles and care settings. Cross Country Healthcare conducted the study in collaboration with FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
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