[Nurses in private practice in France]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Workforce Analysis
• Nursing Practice Management
• Public Health Policy

Context:

• In France, 48,000 nurses operate in private practice, delivering essential ambulatory nursing care.
• A 2004 survey revealed nurses work an average of 40 hours weekly, with significant time dedicated to direct patient care activities.
• Existing nursing shortages in French hospitals are well-documented.

Purpose:

• To assess the workload and job satisfaction of private practice nurses in France.
• To identify factors contributing to potential attrition from private nursing practice.
• To project the impact of nurse departures on ambulatory care services.

Summary:

• Nearly 19% of private practice nurses plan to leave within three years, citing heavy workloads and administrative burdens.
• An estimated 9,000 nurses may exit private practice due to retirement, hospital employment, or career changes.
• Only 7% are willing to increase their workload, indicating a high risk of ambulatory care shortages.
• Key challenges include excessive administrative tasks (reported by 25%) and a lack of locum tenens (reported by 16.7%).

Impact:

• The projected departure of private practice nurses is likely to create a significant shortage in ambulatory care.
• Increased administrative burdens and lack of support staff are critical issues impacting nurse retention.
• The findings suggest a need for policy interventions to support private practice nurses and ensure continuity of care.