Survey: Nurse managers name top strategies to ease workload, boost well-being

Editor's Note

A recent national survey reveals that nurse managers overwhelmingly prioritize practical, high-impact strategies to ease their workload and support well-being, yet many feel these measures remain under-implemented. According to a Nurse Leader March 31 article, the survey, conducted by Laudio Insights and Vizient, captured input from 231 respondents—177 nurse managers and 54 chief nursing officers (CNOs)—to identify the most impactful and achievable changes nurse leaders can make today.

As detailed in the article, nurse managers are under mounting pressure, often responsible for over 75 direct reports and facing high turnover, with nearly 10% leaving their roles in 2023. While both CNOs and nurse managers recognize the strain, their perceptions differ significantly regarding the implementation of support strategies. Nurse managers consistently rated both workload and well-being initiatives as more fully implemented than CNOs did, suggesting a communication gap or differing criteria for what constitutes “progress.”

The outlet reports that nurse managers view “manager-centric platforms” and “administrative support roles” as two high-impact, low-effort solutions that should be prioritized immediately. These strategies enable more time for meaningful staff engagement—a factor linked to improved retention—and reduce time spent on frustrating tasks like budgeting and incident reporting. However, the article notes that CNOs see slower progress on these fronts, especially in establishing assistant nurse manager roles.

In terms of well-being, nurse managers rated flexible work arrangements—remote options, alternative scheduling, and fewer after-hours calls—as high impact, yet least implemented. CNOs appeared to underestimate the value of these changes, potentially viewing them as workforce-wide solutions rather than nurse manager-specific needs. Despite these differences, both groups agreed on the importance of leadership development, health and wellness programs, and workplace violence support.