In a new report entitled Recover to Rebuild: Investing in the Nursing Workforce for Health System Effectiveness, authored by James Buchan (Adjunct Professor, UTS) and Howard Catton (CEO, ICN) and published by the International Council of Nurses (ICN), health system stakeholders are advised on the protection and restoration of a sustainable nursing workforce in light of a global pandemic.
The report discusses the vital yet dangerous role of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using over 100 studies, it was found 40% to 80% of nurses had experienced symptoms of psychological distress, intentions of leaving rates had increased to 20%, and annual turnover rates had risen to 10%. The stress, burn out, and absences from work were noted as symptoms of the current fractured state of healthcare.
Nurses were on the frontlines, and often on the firing line, and it has taken its toll- ICN President, Pamela Cipriano
The report found that many countries had not sufficiently invested in educating appropriate numbers of nurses to meet their populations’ needs, leading to over work and additional burdens on existing nurses. Countries who traditionally educate nurses ‘for export’ are also experiencing problems. On this, Howard Catton states that “the worldwide shortage of nurses needs to be considered as a global health emergency and recovery from the current situation must to be a priority for governments everywhere”.
The action agenda spans international and country level commitments. At the country level Buchan and Catton emphasise the importance of protection and investment in support the nursing workforce. This can be achieved with two policy priorities, improving workforce retention and ensuring adequate accreditation standards. At the international level, a broad policy response should address lower-income countries as they disproportionately suffer the adverse effects of the pandemic. The co-authors stress that key international stakeholders in the WHO, Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank and ICN must coordinate a vision and long-term, ten-year plan for sustaining the global nursing workforce.
Access the full paper here.