Nearly half of nurses and midwives are contemplating exiting their profession

Nearly half of Queensland nurses and midwives are contemplating leaving the profession due to chronic understaffing and aggression causing burnout.

A recent poll revealed that 46% of the 20,000 Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) members feel overworked, burnt out, and are considering resignation.

Christine Cocks, a QNMU member and nurse with 50 years of experience, expressed concern stating, “Queensland public nurses and midwives are discussing leaving their beloved professions, which indicates a significant issue. They feel burnt out, drained, and ignored by the government as nothing has changed.”

The pressure intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic with increased hospital admissions but insufficient staff to manage, further exacerbated by steady population growth and healthcare budget cuts.

According to the union, some nurses are developing post-traumatic stress disorder from being overworked to the point where they struggle to enter hospital wards.

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Patient frustrations due to service delays and unmet needs are leading to increased verbal abuse and violence towards nurses and midwives amid rising living costs.

Kym Volp, a QNMU member and healthcare worker, noted, “Patients expressing more anger over delayed services and unmet needs are resulting in a surge of workplace aggression towards nurses, which is a concerning trend.”

This exposure to burnout and aggression, combined with facing similar cost-of-living pressures as patients, is discouraging more young individuals in Queensland from pursuing a career in nursing.

Furthermore, there is a cap on graduate positions for upcoming nurses, leaving many qualified individuals unable to secure employment.

Christine Cocks emphasized, “Despite the demand for more nurses, there is a lack of available positions even though they are crucially needed.”

To address the various challenges facing nurses and midwives, the union has put forth 40 recommendations to the government prior to the state budget.

The primary demand is for 11,800 full-time nurses and midwives to be recruited by 2029.

Additional recommendations include workforce planning, free nursing and midwifery courses, paid student placements, a mentoring program for nurses and midwives, and affordable housing in regional areas.

Sarah Beaman, QNMU secretary, stressed the importance of caring for those who care for Queenslanders.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman affirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the healthcare workforce, highlighting the hiring of 13,000 more staff since taking office.

In a statement, Fentiman stated, “We are collaborating with various stakeholders, including the QNMU, on our 2032 Workforce Strategy to enhance recruitment, retention, and support for healthcare staff in the next decade.”

“We have a strong history of working with frontline health staff to improve working conditions and patient outcomes,” she added.