Governments to act on nursing shortages
All governments must “urgently invest” in the nursing workforce – and a new report demonstrates exactly why. The Health Workforce Australia report, released early last week, shows a shortage of nearly 110,000 nurses by 2025. Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) says both state and federal governments “must act” to provide better wages.
All governments must “urgently invest” in the nursing workforce – and a new report demonstrates exactly why.
The Health Workforce Australia report, released early last week, shows a shortage of nearly 110,000 nurses by 2025.
Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) assistant federal secretary, Yvonne Chaperon, says both state and federal governments “must act” to provide better wages, training and education, and career pathways to ensure the recruitment, and retention, of Australia’s nursing workforce.
According to Ms Chaperon, the report is a “dire prediction” about the massive nursing shortage Australia will face in the future.
“We are experiencing a critical shortfall of nursing staff across public and private hospitals, nursing homes and mental health facilities right across the country, particularly in rural and regional areas,” she says.
Ms Chaperon adds, in aged care alone, 20,000 nurses are urgently required to meet the challenges of delivering quality care to Australia’s ageing population.
“As a matter of urgency, Australia has to now start rebuilding a future nursing workforce to replace current nursing staff who will be retiring over the next 15 to 20 years.”
She calls for more funded opportunities for undergraduate nursing and midwifery courses, as well as more clinical placements throughout students’ undergraduate courses.
“Governments must also create new solutions to encourage qualified, trained nurses and midwives to return to the workforce.”
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