The Florida Center for Nursing has established a Well-Being Advisory Board to enhance support systems for nurses, addressing heightened stress and burnout rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic challenges in the state’s healthcare sector.

In a bid to address the escalating challenges faced by nurses in Florida, the Florida Center for Nursing (FCN) announced on Monday the formation of a Well-Being Advisory Board (WAB).

The board aims to enhance the physical and emotional support systems for nurses across the state, acknowledging the need for improved well-being initiatives. The WAB is poised to function as a multidisciplinary entity, according to FCN, pulling expertise from various sectors within healthcare to advise on and formulate policies that safeguard the welfare of current and future nurses.

The initiative intends to serve as a proactive approach to stemming the tide of burnout and stress that has intensified in the nursing profession, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nurses are the backbone of patient care, and prioritizing their emotional and physical well-being is crucial, not only in the workplace but also in their personal lives,” FCN said in a prepared statement. “It is essential that nurses are well-supported and healthy in order for them to continue offering the high-quality care they provide to patients and visitors across Florida.”

Recent data paints a stark picture of the state of nursing well-being nationwide. A November 2022 study conducted by the American Nurses Foundation and Joslin Insight found that 64 percent of nurses reported feeling stressed, while 57 percent felt exhausted. The WAB will focus on providing strategic input on policies, offering feedback on existing and proposed well-being resources, and recommending systemic changes along with strategies for their implementation.

The nursing shortage in Florida is a result of high demand for healthcare services, an aging nursing workforce, limited nursing school capacity, and a competitive job market. With a large population and a significant elderly population, the demand for nursing care is high. However, the retirement of experienced nurses and limited nursing education resources make it difficult to fill the gap. This shortage puts a strain on existing nurses, compromises patient care, and requires a multi-faceted approach to improvement.

Potential solutions discussed during the recent Legislative Sessions included increasing nursing education capacity, implementing recruitment and retention initiatives, promoting nursing as a career, and enacting supportive legislation.