European Union Launches €1.3 million Project to Enhance Nursing Profession's Appeal
Let's dive into the meaty issue of Europe's nursing shortfall and how the EU is aiming to beef up the ranks of these healthcare heroes.
The EU's executive arm, along with the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, has set its sights on just that - making nursing a more attractive profession to weather the ongoing nurse shortage plaguing Europe. This joint endeavor, planned over the next three years, will see at least half of EU member states leveraging a €1.3 million budget. Hotspots with the most severe nurse shortages will be prioritized.
So, what's on the menu for attracting more blood to the nursing profession? Mentoring and training programs for youngbloods and mid-career professionals, that's what! One of the key objectives is to produce a report analyzing Generation Z's interest in the nursing field, which will fuel a "policy dialogue" at the EU level.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides emphasized, "Nurses are the backbone of our health systems. They're crucial in ensuring patients get top-notch, professional care when they need it."
Here's the lowdown on what else is up for grabs: developing recruitment strategies, implementing digital healthcare training opportunities, conducting workforce impact assessments, and formulating strategies to boost nurses' health and well-being.
Want to know what the EU has already been mulling over in terms of nursing retention? Their action plan on improving working conditions in the EU, presented in March, suggested policies like mentoring initiatives.
Europe has its work cut out: an ageing population demanding more healthcare services, coupled with looming retirements within the health workforce. The next EU executive is expected to prioritize addressing this nurse shortage against the backdrop of increasing demand for healthcare services.
"Today's move is proof of our commitment to tackling the serious health workforce problems faced by many Member States and strengthening the resilience of health systems across the European Health Union," declared Kyriakides.
Digging Deeper
A third of nurses report witnessing patients die due to staff shortages, new global survey finds
As European doctors retire, could AI help to solve a health workforce shortage?
Why is tuberculosis, the world's deadliest infectious disease, on the rise in the UK?
- Public health
- Health worker
- EU Policy
- Health
- Shortage
- Nurses
Insights
- Workforce Planning and Management: Emphasis is placed on maintaining suitable nurse staffing levels and providing a supportive work environment. High job strain among nurses is a common issue throughout the EU.
- Care for Nurses' Well-being: The International Council of Nurses has brought forward the "Caring for Nurses Agenda," which aims to enrich nurse health and well-being and foster a supportive work environment, though it isn't specific to the EU.
- Education and Retention Strategies: Improved retention through better training programs, career growth opportunities, and competitive compensation packages could be part of broader solutions to the nurse shortage issue.
- International Collaboration: Addressing international nurse mobility impacts the sustainability of nursing workforces in numerous countries, and EU policies might focus on reducing outflow and bolstering recruitment and retention within member states.
- Investment in Healthcare Infrastructure: Boosting investments in healthcare infrastructure, including resources for nurse recruitment and retention, could form part of a broader EU strategy to support healthcare systems across the continent.
Sources:[1] International Council of Nurses – Caring for Nurses Agenda (2019) https://www.icn.ch/our-work/caring-for-nurses-agenda/[2] European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies – Health Workforce Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240019231[3] WHO Regional Office for Europe – Nurse Education and Pathways: A resource guide for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders (2018) https://www.who.int/humanresources/management/WHO_HRG_18.08/en/
- The EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides announced a new initiative to combat nurse shortages across Europe, aiming to boost the nursing profession through mentoring and training programs, with a focus on Generation Z's interest in nursing.2.Part of the plan includes leveraging a €1.3 million budget, prioritizing hotspots with the most severe nurse shortages, developing recruitment strategies, implementing digital healthcare training opportunities, conducting workforce impact assessments, and formulating strategies to boost nurses' health and well-being.
- A joint endeavor between the EU's executive arm and the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Office for Europe aims to make nursing a more attractive profession and tackle the ongoing nurse shortage plaguing Europe.
- The initiative also includes creating shortcuts for medical-conditions diagnosis and care through mediums like WhatsApp, aiming to improve the efficiency and accessibility of health and wellness information for nurses and patients, supported by science and technology investments.
- The "Caring for Nurses Agenda" by the International Council of Nurses aims to enrich nurse health and well-being, which aligns with the EU's strategy to tackle the nurse shortage and strengthen the resilience of health systems across the European Health Union.
