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%

of Pittsburgh hospital workers are thinking of leaving the profession.

“I feel like I have been to war every single day that I step foot in the hospital. There have been countless times that I knew in my heart a patient would pass away because they are not getting the attention they deserve due to staffing and patient overload.”

Intensive Care Nurse

We have heard often over the last two years about the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital workers. Deemed “essential” at the start of the pandemic, these workers have faced the
risk of infection, lack of PPE and other necessary supplies, rampant understaffing, verbal and physical abuse from patients and their families, long hours, and, as a result, trauma and burnout.

In Pittsburgh, healthcare workers are the largest workforce in the city, and many are leaving or thinking about leaving their jobs. The Pittsburgh Hospital Workers Survey was conducted to provide a systematic understanding of their experiences to inform policymakers, hospital administrators, and the broader public. This
report summarizes key findings.

Reasons former hospital workers left:

  • Staffing was insufficient 73% 73%
  • The work was too mentally/emotionally demanding 69% 69%
  • I needed to earn more money 57% 57%
  • My workload was too high 54% 54%
  • I was unable to deliver quality care consistently 52% 52%
  • I experienced violence and/or verbal abuse from patients 43% 43%
  • The work was too physically demanding 36% 36%
  • I had problems with my manager or supervisor 35% 35%
  • I needed a different or more flexible schedule 35% 35%

“My hospital is nowhere near the national average pay. After 15 years of working here, I am considering selling my home and leaving Pittsburgh for a better paying hospital job.”

X-Ray Technician