Research
The Oregon Center for Nursing’s RN Well-Being Project is dedicated to researching the well-being of registered nurses in Oregon. By gathering and analyzing data, this initiative provides valuable insights that inform nurse leaders, employers, and policymakers about the challenges nurses face in the workplace. Understanding these challenges is critical for creating supportive environments that promote job satisfaction, reduce burnout, and improve overall nurse retention by addressing removable and manageable stressors.
Beyond informing leadership and healthcare employers, this research also empowers nurses to advocate for positive change within their workplaces and communities. These discussions help nurses articulate their concerns in a structured way, fostering collaboration with leadership to implement solutions that enhance job satisfaction and patient care.
Moral Distress and Emotional Fatigue Are Widespread
Nurses report persistent emotional fatigue, moral distress, and increased workloads—challenges that demand organizational and policy-level solutions.
What's the data say? đź”˝
- 83% of RNs reported experiencing feelings of stress at work.
- 80% reported frustration.
- 68% experienced anxiety, exhaustion, or burnout.
More than half of respondents experienced distress, often due to systemic factors such as inadequate staffing, leadership communication gaps, or an inability to provide quality care under pressure.
These indicators reflect long-standing organizational stressors—not individual failings. Nurses are working in environments that challenge their emotional and ethical resilience, creating unsustainable conditions for occupational well-being.
Disrupted Clinical Training Impacts Readiness for New Nurses
Limited clinical placements leave many new nurses unprepared for practice—impacting early-career confidence, emotional well-being, and retention.
What's the data say? đź”˝
A widening gap between academic preparation and practice expectations, leading to emotional strain and increased turnover risk among new graduates.
“The effect of having limited access to clinical rotations means new graduate nurses are entering the workforce with less confidence in their clinical skills and reasoning.”
These structural breakdowns in the transition-to-practice process increase stress, reduce preparedness, and make early-career nurses more vulnerable to burnout—undermining occupational well-being before their careers fully begin.
Workplace Factors Influence Nurse Retention and Well-Being
System-level factors such as staffing, communication, and organizational culture play a critical role in nurses’ decisions to stay or leave—and shape their overall sense of well-being at work.
What's the data say? đź”˝
- 67% of nurses reported feeling unsupported by their organization.
- Frequent themes included staffing strain, unclear communication, and emotional fatigue.
- Many respondents noted a disconnect between their professional values and the conditions of care delivery, contributing to moral distress and job dissatisfaction.
These findings emphasize the importance of supportive leadership, adequate resources, and aligned organizational values in promoting retention and fostering long-term occupational well-being.
Access Full Reports
The RNWB Project has spearheaded expansive research into the mental and emotional health of Oregon’s nurses. Access our research reports and data-driven downloadable resources below. To learn more about OCN’s complete body of research, please visit our main website.
