Employment of the Australian graduate nursing workforce: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Background: There have been predictions of a significant nursing workforce shortage in Australia and one strategy to address this has been an increase in supply of new graduates. Their rates and hours of work are largely unknown. Aim: To explore trends in employment of newly graduate registered nurses in Australia between 2004 and 2019. Methods: A retrospective analysis of Australian university graduate survey data and governmental administrative data was undertaken. Findings and discussion: Results show a 5.8% per annum increase in the number of nursing students graduating from Australian universities (2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018). There was a 26% reduction (2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019) in the number reporting employment in nursing at 6 months post-graduation. Of those who gained employment as nurses at 6 months, 91% were still employed at 36 months, suggesting that those employed as nurses on graduation will participate in the health care workforce for at least 3 years. Hours per week of employment increased at 36 months post-graduation (for the cohort graduating between 2008-2015), indicative of an increase in overtime hours and/or secondary employment. Fixed-term contracts up to 12 months' duration increased by 8% (2004-2015) providing evidence that more nurses are being offered short-term contracts. Conclusion:The number of newly graduated registered nurses not employed in nursing may reflect an oversupply, use of a nursing degree to move to other postgraduate degrees, or a reluctance to move to where jobs are available. Strategies may be needed to improve the rate of employment of new graduates, specifically employment outside metropolitan areas.

The perspectives of internationally qualified nurses regarding their specialty skill transition to Australia: A cross‐sectional survey

“…The imbalance between the supply and demand of nurses leads to a recruitment gap, which can be attributed to factors such as an ageing population, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic increasing the demand for nurses, and nurse attrition, which decreases the supply of nurses (Smith et al, 2022). A significant shortage of skilled nurses worldwide due to the retirement of one million registered nurses by 2030 is anticipated (Doleman et al, 2022).…”

“…Moreover, despite the high number of available nursing vacancies, there has been a decrease of 26% in Australian nursing graduates accepting positions 6 months after graduation (Doleman et al, 2022).…”

“…The imbalance between the supply and demand of nurses leads to a recruitment gap, which can be attributed to factors such as an ageing population, the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic increasing the demand for nurses, and nurse attrition, which decreases the supply of nurses (Smith et al., 2022). A significant shortage of skilled nurses worldwide due to the retirement of one million registered nurses by 2030 is anticipated (Doleman et al., 2022). This shortage is compounded by the current workplace culture shift and staffing shortage in the nursing workforce, with 20% of essential workers, including nurses, contemplating quitting their jobs in Australia alone due to the pandemic (Sakzewski, 2021).…”

“…This shortage is compounded by the current workplace culture shift and staffing shortage in the nursing workforce, with 20% of essential workers, including nurses, contemplating quitting their jobs in Australia alone due to the pandemic (Sakzewski, 2021). Moreover, despite the high number of available nursing vacancies, there has been a decrease of 26% in Australian nursing graduates accepting positions 6 months after graduation (Doleman et al., 2022).…”

Modern nursing—An unrecognized economic powerhouse

“…Both countries have seen unprecedented cost of living rises, in particular in housing costs, putting pressure on stagnant wages. New graduate nurses are well placed to find employment; around 80% of nurses find employment after graduation with 91% of them still employed after 36 months 6 . However nursing wages have comparably low growth compared with other vocations.…”