Nurses are essential to Florida’s residents and health care system, but Florida has struggled with high nurse vacancies and turnover. After spiking during COVID, vacancies have decreased from a high of 21% in 2022 to 7.8% in 2024, and turnover has decreased from 32% to 17.6%, according to the Florida Hospital Association. Both the state government and employers have taken steps to help, and Talent Pronto is helping employers hire qualified nurses faster. 

Nurses cite a number of reasons for leaving their jobs, including burnout and Work Stress, Inadequate Staffing Ratios, Compensation Issues, Limited Career Advancement, and Work-Life Balance Challenges. The state also faces challenges with an aging nurse workforce, and Florida’s nursing schools have struggled with recruiting faculty which limits the pipeline of new nurses.  

 In 2024, the state Legislature saw the challenges Florida’s health care system faced, and they passed Live Healthy legislation. Among other things, it increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for workers who provide preventative care and serve vulnerable populations, it created funding for nursing education through the LINE program, and it provided tuition reimbursement for professionals who serve in underserved areas through the FRAME program. The Department of Education’s Apprenticeship Accelerator programs and CareerSource Florida also continue to develop local workforce development opportunities.

In addition, because hospitals are highly dependent on nurses, hospitals have responded by offering them more flexibility. They have worked to give nurses more options, and they have steadily reduced their dependence on contract labor which has reduced costs and increased retention. Beyond that, the Florida Hospital Association has partnered with the Florida Center for Nursing, the State University System, the Florida College System, and Career/Technical Centers to find ways to expand the capacity to educate more students.  

Talent Pronto is helping fill vacancies and reduce turnover, too, by accelerating the hiring process. Talent Pronto’s customizable Modern Job Board, Conversational Screening and automated Interview Scheduling can significantly shorten the time to hire. Employers are able to move qualified candidates through the process more quickly, and because the experience is easier and faster for candidates, employers’ talent pipeline expands.  

 Florida’s population continues to grow, and so does the need for nurses. By investing in training, increasing compensation, improving work environments and more, the state, employers and businesses like Talent Pronto can make a difference. Talent Pronto will help by matching nurses with rewarding work.

‍