Nursing Workforce - Working Longer, Getting Older, Australia

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 18 Jan 2008 - 4:00 PDT


The ANF cautioned against any complacency regarding nursing workforce numbers. The caution follows the release of the AIHW report that shows an increase in nursing supply of 9.8% from 2001 to 2005.

ANF Acting Federal Secretary, Gerardine (Ged) Kearney said the data reveals the increase is largely due to nurses working longer hours, with an alarming 16,000 reporting that they work more than 50-hours per week.

"This is not sustainable in a demanding environment where nurses need to be providing a high quality of care to patients," Ms Kearney said.

Along with working increased hours the nursing population is ageing rapidly with the average age of nurses being 45 in 2005. The number of nurses aged 50 years and over increased from 24% in 2001 to 35% in 2005.

Disturbingly the report also reveals 41,000 nurses are registered but not working as nurses.

"The number of nurses not working in the profession and the fact that one third of nurses will retire in the next decade, poses a great challenge in terms of a sustainable workforce," Ms Kearney said.

"We need to make sure all nurses are supported by addressing the key issues of professional recognition, including wages and conditions. These areas should be central to workforce planning."

For full details of the AIHW Nursing and midwifery labour force 2005 report visit here.

The ANF, representing 150,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia

Australian Nursing Federation

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