Nursing shortages can significantly increase healthcare costs. When there are not enough nurses, hospitals may need to hire temporary or travel nurses, who often command higher wages. Additionally, overworked nurses are more prone to burnout, leading to high turnover rates, which further exacerbates staffing issues and increases recruitment and training costs. The strain on the existing workforce can also lead to errors and lower quality of care, which can result in longer hospital stays and increased medical expenses.
