A survey of regional nurses in Australia has found small, thoughtful interventions from peers are vital to keeping them in the job.
Key points:
- A study has found better communication with early-career nurses makes a big difference to retention rates
- The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA says support for accommodation is also key
- SA Health says 273 nurses are working in regional areas under a new program
The University of South Australia spoke to regional nurses in their first three years of work.
Mount Gambier-based clinical nurse Heidi Rose was involved in the study and said a nurse’s experience in the first three years of their career was crucial if they were to remain in the field.
“I remember very clearly the first three months of my nursing career and it can probably make or break some people,” she said.
“Some of the new graduate nurses only worked for 12 months or two years and then they left the profession just due to some of the challenges they faced.
“Some of these people who changed professions were brilliant new nurses who were dynamic and very dedicated, but found it too overwhelming.”
Ms Rose said the study found small initiatives that did not require large investments could encourage young nurses to stay in the job.
She said the simple act of a manager asking a nurse, “How are you doing today?”, could make a big difference.
“Irregular catch-ups sometimes meant more to them [participants] than regular meetings, because sometimes they’ll catch them in a moment when they’re having a tough day,” Ms Rose said.
“We don’t need any more money for that to happen and it doesn’t require any big planning.”
Structural barriers
While the study identified challenges for those working in the regions, it also identified some positive for leaving capital cities and heading to the country, including the opportunity for a more varied job with greater chances of career progression.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA chief executive Elizabeth Dabars said the state government had implemented some programs to improve nurse retention rates, but there were still some structural barriers to moving away from Adelaide.
“We have been advocating for resources in terms of accommodation, because one of the issues we find is the lack of accommodation,” Ms Dabars said.
“Even if you’re attracted or willing to go to a regional or rural area but you can’t get appropriate accommodation, then you’re hardly going to go.”
A SA Health spokesperson said there were 237 nurses and midwives working in regional areas through its Transition to Professional Practice Program.
“We are supporting the regional and rural workforce to meet the needs of their communities with experienced nursing and midwifery educators and mentors,” the spokesperson said.
“[We are] providing new clinical specialisation scholarships in emergency care, high dependency, mental health, palliative care and renal care.”
The spokesperson said the state government was offering incentives of up to $15,000 for health workers to move to regional areas.
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