Recognizing nursing as a calling: An important step toward improving workforce sustainability
European countries are facing a shortage of healthcare workers. Christine Antorini, the former CEO of Life Foundation, a Danish nonprofit organization focused on education, and member of several boards, made headlines when she left her leadership position in 2023 to study nursing.
Her decision provoked mixed reactions: while she received support and admiration on social media, there were also cynical comments suggesting she would quit if she faced the reality of clinical practice. Others speculated that her enrollment in nursing school was a politically motivated move, a claim she adamantly denies.
“It’s my own choice. I’ve always been fascinated by healthcare, but I didn’t know that in Denmark you could get a new higher education for free if there are places available for a degree,” she noted in an interview. with the Danish Association for Healthcare Management. After completing her first semester and practicum assignments, Antorini’s commitment to clinical practice has only grown stronger, and she is optimistic that more young people will follow suit.
The situation in nursing is worrying worldwide. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the average number of nurses in EU countries increased from 7.5 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2010 to 8.3 in 2020. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the profession has been under enormous pressure. Today, all countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region face serious health workforce challenges, as highlighted in the 2022 WHO European Regional Report “Health and care workers in Europe: time to act.β
Public sentiment towards nurses often focuses on the negative aspects, such as poor working conditions, low salaries and a lack of respect for their crucial role in running healthcare systems. Antorini is concerned about this story.
βIt is a catastrophe that many young people see nursing as important and purposeful, but are discouraged by stories of challenging working conditions,β she said.
On March 22, 2023, WHO Member States and other health stakeholders Bucharest Declaration on the Health and Care Workforce. This statement calls for political action to improve the recruitment and retention of health and care staff, optimize staff performance and increase investment in staff training and protection.
Antorini believes that many adults are interested in healthcare, and she advocates more flexible opportunities for those interested in the sector, highlighting the need for innovative education models that allow study alongside work.
βIf we want people to continue working for many years β and that is the agenda, not only in Denmark, but in most countries β then it is important to give people the right opportunities to change careers and to get the necessary training have to do that. I think this is one of the most important things politicians can do,β Antorini said.
Christine Antorini is a featured speaker at the 2024 HIMSS European Health Conference & Exhibition, scheduled for May 29-31, 2024 in Rome. More information and registration.