workforce and attrition from the formal health sector as a failure rather than a measure of the value and transferability of skills obtained through a nursing degree . Of note degrees in law , business and medicine provide multiple career options and nursing should be considered as a similar option providing lifelong opportunities .
There is much discussion and debate on what the post-COVID era will look like . In common with other assaults on society , we are living in a period of reflection , recalibration and course correction because of the pandemic . COVID-19 has emphasised the importance of social determinants of health in determining access to services as well as the complex and multifaceted role of nurses across the care continuum . The deleterious forces of racism , alienation , inequity and marginalisation have also been apparent through this pandemic .
As nursing in Australia matures , evolves and assesses the impact of the pandemic we need to consider workforce planning in a new light .
Firstly , we need to address representation of all cultural groups and increase the participation of men .
Secondly , there is an urgent need to increase the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the workforce . Thirdly , we should address public perception and misconceptions of our profession .
And lastly , we need to focus on the immediate priority of retention of the current workforce . We need to ensure we create and nurture ‘ workplaces of choice ’, fostering purpose and contribution , where kindness and wellbeing are central to the environments we work in , supported by attractive working conditions .
Ensuring we have robust nursing workforce forecasting in both the long and short term is critical . For too long planning has been reactive and not considered broader social , political and economic factors as well as the push and pull factors of migration . As our society faces a post pandemic world , which is ageing , health disparities are becoming more evident and the burden of chronic illness is increasing , ensuring we have adequately educated nurses in sufficient numbers is of the greatest importance .
Our current experiences certainly do not feel like we are living through a surplus , rather a crisis considering a critical discussion of distribution , competencies , skills and support .
Ignoring these issues is at the peril of not just today , but for populations of the future . ■
Professor Patricia Davidson is vicechancellor and president , University of Wollongong . Professor Debra Jackson is professor of nursing at the Susan Wakil Sydney Nursing School , University of Sydney . Associate professor Caleb Ferguson is associate professor of nursing , Western Sydney University & Western Sydney Local Health District .
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