Nurses’ views sought on improving recruitment and retention
Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce aims to use feedback to help inform improvements to working conditions and tackle widespread nursing vacancies
Nurses across Scotland are being urged to have their say on how to improve recruitment and retention and encourage more people into nursing.
They are being asked to share their views on some of the main challenges facing the profession in a survey launched this week by the Scottish Government’s Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce.
The taskforce, led by Scotland’s cabinet secretary for NHS recovery, health and social care Michael Matheson, was set up earlier this year as part of efforts to improve working conditions and tackle widespread nursing vacancies.
Have you say on staff well-being, career development and more
The 10-minute survey – the first phase of the taskforce’s Listening Project – is designed to capture nurses’ views on key themes including staff well-being, culture and leadership, education and career development.
Scotland’s chief nursing officer Alex McMahon said the taskforce was keen to hear from a wide range of voices including nurses and support workers employed across health and social care services in the country, nursing students and educators, and those considering entering the profession.
RCN wants views on nurses’ lived experiences
At the same time, the RCN is asking nurses to take part in a separate exercise to help inform the work of the taskforce, which involves answering a series of questions about their day-to-day experiences.
RCN Scotland board chair Julie Lambeth said it was vital the work of the taskforce was informed by the lived experiences of nurses on the ground.
‘Something needs to change for nursing, and the ministerial taskforce provides that opportunity – an opportunity for the Scottish Government to develop and commit to funded, timely and meaningful actions to retain and recruit the nursing workforce Scotland needs,’ she told Nursing Standard.
‘Listening and engaging with RCN members, the wider profession and those thinking of choosing nursing is essential to developing actions that will make a difference. I would encourage anyone with an interest in nursing to share their views.’
The taskforce’s survey closes at 5pm on 18 September.
Share your views
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