Understanding Mental Health in the Nursing Profession

Nurses are essential to healthcare at every level, and their work is both demanding and deeply meaningful. Long shifts, high nurse-to-patient ratios and repeated exposure to trauma, grief and suffering are realities of the profession, and they carry real mental health consequences. Burnout, compassion fatigue and chronic stress are openly acknowledged across the field, and that awareness has driven meaningful progress in how nurses are supported throughout their careers.

Nurses entering Campbellsville University’s (CU) online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program are part of a profession that increasingly prioritizes well-being alongside clinical excellence. Understanding the mental health landscape in nursing — and the expanding range of strategies and resources available — helps nurses build the resilience and self-advocacy skills needed for a sustainable, rewarding career.

As healthcare organizations invest more in workforce well-being, nurses today have more support available than at any prior point in the profession. Growing awareness of burnout, compassion fatigue and workplace stress has driven meaningful progress — from employee assistance programs and peer networks to organizational policy changes and individual self-advocacy — creating healthier environments for the people who deliver care.

What is the Current State of Mental Health for Nurses?

According to the American Nurses Foundation 2023 Mental Health and Wellness Survey — one of the largest assessments of its kind, drawing responses from more than 7,400 nurses — 56% of nurses are experiencing burnout, and 64% say they feel “a great deal of stress” because of their job. Nearly two-thirds of nurses who reported mental anguish or toxic emotions were not seeking or receiving mental health support, and 56% said stigma associated with mental health care remains a concern within the profession.

The American Nurses Foundation and McKinsey & Company also found that 1 in 10 nurses lacked the financial resources to access mental health support, a barrier compounded by stigma and time constraints. Among those surveyed, approximately 39% indicated they were likely to leave their current positions within six months, suggesting a workforce navigating significant pressure.

These challenges are not fading. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 2025 Nursing Workforce Study, which surveyed hundreds of thousands of nurses nationwide, found that nearly 40% of nurses intend to leave the workforce by 2029. Stress, burnout, heavy workloads, understaffing and workplace violence rank among the top reasons nurses cite for planning to exit. The NCSBN also notes a meaningful positive trend: more than 73% of RNs now hold a baccalaureate degree or higher, a sign that nurses are investing in their professional futures despite the pressures they face.

Federal action reflects the urgency of these workforce concerns. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has characterized healthcare worker burnout as a national occupational health concern, launching its Impact Wellbeing campaign in partnership with major health systems to deploy hospital-tested tools for improving nurse well-being. Rather than focusing solely on individual coping strategies, the campaign holds organizational leadership accountable, targeting scheduling practices, workload management and peer support structures as the levers most likely to drive lasting change.

What Factors Affect Nurses’ Mental Health?

No single cause underlies the mental health challenges nurses face. Instead, a complex web of workplace and personal factors converges to create sustained risk. Understanding these factors is a critical first step toward addressing them, and toward building careers that can withstand the demands of the profession.

Long working hours and high nurse-to-patient ratios leave little time for recovery between shifts. Exposure to trauma is another significant driver: nurses witness death, grief and suffering in ways that may accumulate over time, making emotional processing an ongoing part of the work. When nurses feel powerless to help patients due to resource limitations or systemic constraints, that helplessness can deepen into compassion fatigue — a state of emotional exhaustion that makes it difficult to engage fully with patients or colleagues.

Burnout and compassion fatigue reinforce each other in harmful ways. When nurses are stretched thin due to persistent understaffing, their ability to recover between shifts diminishes. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing notes that stress, workload and inadequate support are among the primary reasons nurses intend to leave the workforce, which in turn worsens the staffing gaps that create those conditions in the first place. Breaking this cycle requires deliberate action at both the organizational and individual levels. Work-life balance can be difficult to sustain in nursing, and without a foundation of self-care and boundary-setting, even the most committed nurses are at risk.

How Can Nurses Find Support and Solutions for Mental Health Issues?

Addressing mental health in nursing requires action at every level, from organizational policy and leadership to individual self-care and peer support. The good news for nurses is that awareness has grown significantly across the profession, and more evidence-based resources are available than ever before.

Organizations that create cultures of openness around mental health see nurses who are more willing to seek help. The American Nurses Foundation recommends implementing regular mental health check-ins, confidential screenings and wellness programs to reduce burnout. Employee assistance programs (EAPs), which provide short-term counseling and referrals at no cost to employees, are now offered by many healthcare employers, though they remain underutilized. Reducing stigma is essential to changing that pattern, and nurse leaders play a key role in setting the tone.

Individual self-advocacy is equally important. Setting boundaries with employers and patients helps prevent the erosion that leads to burnout. Participating in wellness programs, counseling and continuing education keeps nurses current on evidence-based mental health practices. Joining professional organizations like the American Nurses Association provides additional access to hotlines, peer networks and advocacy resources. For urgent situations, the National Alliance on Mental Illness operates a crisis text line for healthcare workers.

Nurse leaders and supervisors carry a vital responsibility as well. Recognizing the early signs of mental health struggles in colleagues, reducing excessive workloads where possible and modeling healthy self-care behaviors all contribute to a workplace culture that supports long-term nurse well-being. Prioritizing nurse mental health is not only compassionate — it is fundamental to delivering safe, high-quality patient care.

Make a Bigger Impact in Nursing With an Online RN to BSN From CU

Nursing is a profession built on compassion, and that compassion must extend to those who provide care: the nurses themselves. Campbellsville University’s online RN to BSN program equips nurses with clinical knowledge, leadership skills and systemic awareness to advocate for themselves and their colleagues — building careers grounded in both excellence and well-being.

The program’s flexible online format makes it possible for nurses to invest in their professional future without stepping away from their current roles. RNs complete the program ready to make a bigger impact while qualifying for advancement opportunities and increased earning potential.

Learn more about Campbellsville University‘s online RN to BSN program.

About Campbellsville University’s Online RN to BSN Program

Campbellsville University’s online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program is designed for working nurses who want to advance their education without pausing their careers. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and delivered entirely online, the program can be completed in approximately 10-12 months. Core coursework spans community health nursing, gerontology, transcultural nursing and nursing informatics — providing a well-rounded foundation for leadership, advocacy and evidence-based practice.

As the nursing field works to address ongoing mental health and workforce challenges, a BSN equips nurses with advanced skills and professional standing to pursue roles with greater autonomy, more robust institutional support and stronger career trajectories. Campbellsville University is committed to helping nurses build careers grounded in compassionate care, evidence-based practice and personal well-being.