Burnout is not just a buzzword in long-term care—it's a daily reality for thousands of nurses and CNAs. For Directors of Nursing (DONs) and facility leaders, it's not just a staffing challenge. It’s a retention crisis, a compliance risk, and ultimately, a threat to resident care.
But there’s good news: you don’t have to solve it alone. With the right staffing approach, burnout can be addressed head-on.
Turnover in Long-Term Care: What the Numbers Show
The average annual turnover rate for nurses in skilled nursing exceeds 40% in many regions. CNAs often leave at even higher rates.
The ripple effect includes:
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Constant retraining
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Declining morale among core staff
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Missed shifts and inconsistent resident care
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Survey risks tied to staffing coverage
Burnout is at the center of this. Nurses report emotional exhaustion, lack of work-life balance, and feeling unsupported by rigid schedules or unreliable staffing backups.
How Flexible Staffing Helps Reduce Burnout
When nurses are constantly asked to stay late or cover last-minute gaps, burnout accelerates. But flexible staffing—done right—can provide much-needed relief.
Here’s how FlexForce helps:
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Fills gaps before they become crises: Our per diem and travel nurse models are designed for rapid deployment.
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Builds around your core team: We complement your internal staff rather than replace them, reducing overtime and improving retention.
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Gives your team breathing room: Planned support reduces the burden on full-time employees and keeps everyone fresher, longer.
The result? More consistent care, fewer call-outs, and happier staff.
Smart Scheduling: What Nurses Actually Want
Too often, schedules are created with operational needs in mind—but not with input from those doing the work.
Here’s what makes schedules nurse-friendly:
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Advance notice of shifts (not next-day scrambling)
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Options for shorter or split shifts that fit real-life responsibilities
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Clear boundaries around overtime
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Trusted support partners to call when they need help
At FlexForce, we build schedules with nurse behavior in mind. Our teams know which shifts go unfilled, why they go unfilled, and how to create a plan that works for everyone—patients included.
Final Thoughts for DONs and Facility Leaders
Burnout doesn’t solve itself. But you don’t need a massive overhaul to make progress. Sometimes, it’s about having the right partner in place—one that shows up, listens, and gets it done.
That’s what FlexForce was built for.
If you’re ready to reduce burnout, protect your core team, and bring stability back to your schedule, we’re ready to help.
👉 Let’s talk staffing. Contact us today to explore flexible coverage options that actually work.