Washington hospitals face nursing shortage as pandemic causes burnout among staff

As the number of COVID-19 hospi­tal­iza­tions remains high, the number of nurses is moving in the opposite direc­tion. Hospi­tals say staffing short­ages are having an impact.

COVID-19’s impact on nurses was a focus during Friday’s state Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee meeting. Two nurses spoke candidly, telling lawmakers how the ongoing pandemic is leading to burnout and causing some nurses to leave their jobs.