By Aina Hague, EORNA Secretary
Nursing has long been a cornerstone of healthcare, yet across Europe, we are facing an alarming crisis: fewer young people are choosing nursing as a career. The OECD’s latest findings paint a worrying picture—by 2030, many European countries may not have enough nurses to meet demand. For perioperative nursing, where specialized skills are essential, the impact could be even more severe.
The Decline in New Nurses: What’s Happening?
Several factors are discouraging young people from entering the profession:
⚠️ Workload & Burnout: Long shifts, high stress, and mental exhaustion make nursing a challenging career choice.
💰 Low Wages: In many countries, nurse salaries have not kept pace with the increasing demands of the job.
📉 Lack of Career Progression: Many young professionals seek roles with clear pathways for advancement, something nursing does not always offer.
🏥 Difficult Work Conditions: Understaffed hospitals, exposure to workplace violence, and limited resources make daily life for nurses even harder.
How Can We Attract & Retain Perioperative Nurses?
👩⚕️ Stronger Career Pathways: Developing clear professional growth opportunities, including advanced roles in perioperative nursing.
📚 Better Training & Mentorship: Investing in structured education programs, preceptorships, and support systems for new nurses.
💶 Competitive Salaries & Benefits: Improving financial incentives to reflect the critical role nurses play in patient care.
🏥 Safer Work Environments: Implementing policies that protect nurses from burnout, ensure proper staffing, and address workplace safety concerns.
What Governments & Hospitals Must Do
European governments and healthcare institutions must act now to secure the future of nursing. Investment in education, working conditions, and retention strategies is vital. Without these changes, the risk of widespread nurse shortages will continue to threaten healthcare systems across Europe.
📢 Read the full OECD report on nursing shortages here.
It’s time to make nursing an attractive, sustainable career again—because the future of healthcare depends on it.
#NursingCrisis #PerioperativeNursing #NursingShortage #FutureOfNursing #EORNA #HealthcarePolicy #SupportNurses
