Burn-out making nurses quit, says study
And, at a time when the health services is experiencing a critical nursing shortage, it is estimated about half of the 15,000 nurses and midwives who are no longer practicing are working in other jobs in Ireland.
Just over a quarter of those who took part in the survey said their workload affected their decision to leave the nursing profession. Most agreed the workload was both physically and mentally exhausting.
The study, based on a questionnaire completed by more than 1,000 nurses and midwives who had left the health service, was jointly commissioned by the Irish Nurses organisation and the Health Services National Partnership Forum. The research is just one of a two-part programme.
A second project will review the training and development requirement to support nurses coming back into the service.
INO general secretary Liam Doran said the study’s “stark findings” would confirm nurses and midwives continue to bear unacceptable workloads as they strive to maintain standards of care.
The study found over half of those who had left the nursing profession would consider returning if the workload distribution was improved.
Over 60% suggested increasing staffing levels and over 70%, who claimed to have worked outside their job description, suggested one way to avoid this would be to specifically define a nurse’s role.
Almost 70% said they had worked more than their contracted hours at least once a week and most were not paid the overtime worked. Forty-five per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with the length and inflexibility of hours worked, which were not conducive to family life.
Just over 60% said family commitments influenced their decision to leave the nursing profession. Around half no longer have dependants living with them and might now be in a position to return.
Over a third would choose to work flexi-time if they were to return to the nursing profession, while around 70% said they liked working as a nurse and over 90% found helping people to be very rewarding.
