Nursing students are rejecting careers in aged care. A staffing crisis is coming
Nursing students often opt out of aged care after their work placement. No amount of downstream reform will undo that first impression of an under-resourced sector.
New Zealand's aging population is projected to reach 1.3 million by 2040, but the current aged care system is struggling to meet this growing demand. The shortage of registered nurses in residential care facilities could reach over 9,000 beds within a decade, according to a ministerial advisory group report. The issue stems from a combination of workforce shortages, bed closures, and overworked caregivers.
Workforce data estimates there are only 2,100 registered nurses to support 16,300 personal-care assistants and carers in aged care. A national study of nursing students revealed reluctance towards aged care often develops during undergraduate education, often before students choose their first job. The quality of clinical placements plays a significant role in shaping students' perceptions of aged care as a career.
Many aged care placements are perceived as under-resourced and undervalued, which can deter students from pursuing a career in this field. The Nursing Council's review of nursing education recommends developing quality clinical placements, where students work alongside experienced aged care nurses managing complex care needs, rather than just observing personal care tasks.
Addressing the placement quality issue can improve the future workforce without the need for new beds or significant funding, emphasizing the central role of the workforce in the success of reform.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
