What would you get if you took a snapshot of nursing? To answer that question, American Nurse Today surveyed thousands of nurses to examine a variety of nursing trends. The goal of the survey was not just to collect salary data, but also to unearth valuable information about what keeps nurses satisfied, what nurses value, and how they perceive their work environments. In short, what do nurses need and why do they stay?

This comprehensive survey considered managers and clinicians separately and as a group, broadening its usefulness in understanding what’s important to nurses at all levels of the profession. Nearly 6,000 nurses took the survey between June and August 2017—an outstanding response that shows a deep level of engagement.

This, the first of a two-part report, focuses on who nurses are, what keeps them in the profession, and where employers might want to focus their efforts in retaining engaged and satisfied nurses.

Thank you!

Thank you to all who completed the survey. Watch for more results in part 2, which will explore nurse lifestyle factors, healthy work environments, staffing trends, and the future of nursing.

Meaghan O’Keeffe is a freelance writer and clinical editor based in Framingham, Massachusetts.