Absenteeism directly impacts patient care, leading to understaffing and increased workloads for the nurses who are present. This can result in longer patient wait times, reduced time for patient-nurse interactions, and a higher risk of medical errors. Moreover, the quality of care can decline, as overworked nurses may not perform at their best. In extreme cases, this can lead to patient dissatisfaction, adverse health outcomes, and even legal liabilities for healthcare facilities.
