How Staffing Gaps Disrupt Care & Operations

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 you account for service degradation, burnout, and turnover churn.

The takeaway? Hiring delays are not neutral. Every month without a Med-Surg Manager or a Cath Lab RN is a month the organization pays for the privilege of waiting.

This is exactly why Hathaway Healthcare Staffing anchors our model on time-to-fill and placement fit. An interim placed in 72 hours isn’t a convenience—it’s a cost-avoidance mechanism that protects service continuity and reduces downstream turnover.

Calculate vacancy impact and explore interim deployment models at: www.hathawayhealthcarestaffing.com/blog

#VacancyCosts #RNRetention #HospitalFinance #StaffingROI #InterimLeadership #ClinicalStaffing #WorkforceEconomics