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Perceptions of nursing in the NHS
Crispin Coombs1, John Arnold, John Loan-Clarke
1Business School, Loughborough University. c.r.coombs@lboro.ac.uk
Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|November 8, 2003
Summary
The National Health Service (NHS) is moderately attractive to potential nursing staff, primarily due to patient interaction. Improving pay, flexibility, and retention strategies are key to boosting recruitment and retaining nurses.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Workforce Studies
- Human Resources in Healthcare
Background:
- The National Health Service (NHS) faces ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining nursing staff.
- Understanding the perceptions of potential nursing recruits is crucial for effective workforce planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the attractiveness of the NHS as an employer for potential nursing staff.
- To identify factors influencing career choices in nursing within the NHS.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving individual and group interviews.
- Participants included diverse groups: school pupils, mature students, nursing students, healthcare assistants, agency nurses, and independent sector nurses.
- Eighty-one individuals participated in the qualitative data collection.
Main Results:
- Nursing is perceived as demanding, high-pressure, and stressful, yet rewarding through patient interaction.
- Key concerns include staff shortages and lack of flexible working hours.
- Increased pay, improved staffing levels, and enhanced retention strategies are recommended for recruitment.
Conclusions:
- The NHS is moderately attractive to potential nursing recruits, largely driven by patient care opportunities.
- Enhancing job satisfaction among current staff can positively influence the NHS's employer brand.
- Improving compensation, recognition, and work-life balance are vital for attracting nurses back to the NHS.