Nurses’ staff retention wish list: the changes they need to see
Posted 15 September 2023 - 08:34
Higher starting salary, more student support on placement and not being expected to cover gaps in other staff groups cited – not surprisingly – as key incentives to stay in the profession
Flexible shifts, more support for nursing students on clinical placements and better working conditions are among factors nurses say would boost recruitment and retention.
Nursing staff shared their views on social media for a survey about challenges facing the profession.
Responding on X, formerly Twitter, many nurses told the Scottish Government’s Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce survey that safer staffing, not being expected to do colleagues’ jobs, and scrapping tuition fees would help encourage more people into the profession. The taskforce is part of efforts to improve working conditions and tackle widespread nursing vacancies.
‘If there’s not enough crew on a flight, it’s cancelled or service amended. In the NHS, when it’s critical staffing, normal service and capacity is expected’
Nurse who is leaving the profession to become an air steward
Patient safety and seeing the value of experienced nurses
One nurse said they were leaving the profession to be a flight attendant: ‘It’s not the pay that is my main concern but rather working conditions and patient safety… If there’s not enough crew on a flight then it’s cancelled or service amended. In the NHS when it’s critical staffing, normal service and capacity is expected.’
Others proposed giving experienced nurses a role in assessing and supporting nursing students.
Suggestions of moving to an all-apprenticeship degree model so nurses can be a part of the NHS from the start were suggested, alongside all nursing staff starting on a band 6 salary.
Recruitment and retention has long been a problem in the NHS, with calls for better strategies to keep nursing staff in the profession including pay restoration and better working conditions, alongside incentives such as free parking, more affordable accommodation and the ability to choose shift patterns.
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