U.S. Healthcare Exodus: Why Workers Quit During COVID

The Pandemic’s Hidden Crisis: Burnout & Broken Systems

A staggering 20% of U.S. healthcare workers have left their jobs since COVID-19 began—and the exodus is far from over. We spoke to frontline workers and industry leaders to unpack the ‘why’ behind the staffing nightmare. Spoiler alert: It’s more than just burnout.

‘We’re Not Heroes, We’re Humans’

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Texas shared her story: ‘I worked 16-hour shifts, saw patients die alone, and still got yelled at for not doing enough. No counseling, no hazard pay. I quit to save my mental health.’ Her experience mirrors thousands of others.

The Corporate Dilemma

A healthcare company director admitted: ‘We’re trapped. Profits can’t cover competitive wages, but understaffing risks patient safety.’ With 35% of nurses reporting plans to leave their jobs in 2023, facilities face a lose-lose scenario.

The Breaking Points

• Crushing workloads with minimal support
• Lack of mental health resources
• Wage stagnation amid rising costs
• Safety fears due to PPE shortages

As one worker put it: ‘COVID didn’t break the system—it exposed what was already broken.’

Reference(s):

U.S. Healthcare Worker: I had to quit my job during the pandemic

cgtn.com