Turnover among acute care RNs climbed for the fifth year in a row, and not just because clinicians are “burned out.” The deeper story is workload compression, staffing ratios, and support gaps that make 12-hour shifts feel like 16. We’re also seeing seasoned RNs exit hospitals for ambulatory settings, home health, infusion, and virtual care—roles that deliver clinical impact without the constant triage stress.   The implication for hospitals entering 2026: retention is no lon

The vacancy cost for an RN isn’t a theoretical spreadsheet argument—it’s real dollars tied to overtime, agency dependence, throughput delays, reduced case volume, and even CMS penalties. In 2026, health systems are finally calculating those numbers with CFO-level rigor.   Benchmarks vary by region and service line, but the range is startling: RN vacancies can cost $7,500–$12,500 per month, while leadership vacancies (CNO, Director, Manager) can easily surpass six figures when

Sustainability in staffing is no longer about filling vacancies faster — it’s about reducing operational volatility. The leaders entering 2026 with the strongest workforce posture are approaching staffing as a portfolio strategy: permanent leadership for cultural continuity, an interim bench for turnover risk, and flexible bedside resources for census-driven demand. The systems that struggle are the ones still relying on single-channel hiring (posting a job and hoping clinica