‘Very alarmed’: Half of nurses and midwives are ready to quit

Half of nurses and midwives in New South Wales are preparing to leave the profession, according to a recent report revealing deep concerns within the sector. The study, conducted by the University of Sydney, found that two-thirds of clinicians regularly contemplate quitting, while nearly half have begun seeking employment elsewhere. These figures highlight a growing crisis in one of Australia's most vital healthcare professions, driven by systemic challenges that affect both individual wellbeing and patient safety. The report underscores the strain placed on nurses and midwives, particularly those balancing professional duties with caregiving responsibilities. Many face unpredictable schedules, long hours, and a lack of flexibility, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. A key factor cited by participants is the inability to adjust their working hours to accommodate personal needs, such as childcare or household management. This issue is especially pronounced among single parents, who often struggle to reconcile demanding work schedules with family obligations. Registered nurse Sarah Ellyard, a union delegate based in Annandale, described the physical and emotional toll of the profession. She noted that her shifts rotate unpredictably, spanning mornings, afternoons, and nights, with no fixed pattern. Currently on parental leave, Ellyard expressed concern about returning to work on an acute mental health ward, where she would be required to manage emotionally taxing situations while also caring for her young son, Finley. “The current system really doesn’t work very well for a lot of people,” she said. “Nurses do get burnt out after years of shift work and a lack of flexibility, sometimes working six or seven shifts in a row.” The survey, which included responses from approximately 2180 nurses and midwives, revealed alarming trends. Nearly 70 percent of respondents reported difficulty recovering their energy fully between shifts, while 44 percent admitted to taking shortcuts in patient care due to time constraints, complex cases, and chronic staffing shortages. These findings suggest a broader pattern of burnout and compromised care quality, exacerbated by persistent under-resourcing in the healthcare system. Despite a recent pay increase for nurses and midwives, which brought the annual gross salary for a fifth-year registered nurse to just under $99,800, many argue that financial compensation alone does not address the deeper structural issues affecting retention. Associate Professor Josh Healy, co-author of the report, emphasized that nurses and midwives seek greater autonomy in managing their work hours. He pointed to relatively simple solutions, such as the ability to swap shifts, adjust start or end times, or participate in job-sharing arrangements. “These are not wildly ambitious asks,” he stated, underscoring the urgency of implementing changes that align with modern workforce expectations. A single mother who participated in a focus group shared how minor adjustments, like shifting her shift start time by 30 minutes, could significantly ease her workload. Such changes, she explained, would allow her to better coordinate school drop-offs and reduce dependence on external support systems. However, she noted that such flexibility is currently unavailable, highlighting a gap between policy and practice. Professor Jenny Sim of the Australian Catholic University echoed these sentiments, calling the findings “sobering.” She linked the high turnover rate to broader global patterns of burnout and retention challenges. “When the workforce loses its most experienced and its most skilled nurses and midwives, then we dilute the clinical expertise that is available in the workplace to help keep patients safe,” she warned. Michael Whaites, general secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, acknowledged the complexity of introducing flexible work arrangements but stressed that such measures must be achievable given rising patient demands and increasing case complexity. He described the situation as “very alarming,” noting that the current model forces women to make ongoing sacrifices in their personal lives to meet professional obligations, a cultural norm he argued belongs to a previous era. The NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park, issued a statement affirming the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by healthcare workers. While specific actions remain pending, the conversation around improving conditions for nurses and midwives continues to gain momentum, reflecting a growing recognition of the critical role these professionals play in public health.