A recent survey has suggested that Finland’s shortage of nurses is to become a substantially larger problem over the next 15 years.
According to a study commissioned by the Local Government Pensions Institution (Keva), around 50 per cent of all nurses in Finland will no longer be working by 2030. Moreover, almost 80 per cent of those working in supervisor positions will retire with the same time frame, the report’s authors said.
The issue appears to be an even greater problem in certain areas, notably the city of Kotka in the southeast, where according to the YLE news agency nearly 25 per cent of all healthcare employees will retire over the next 10 years. Local officials say that larger healthcare facilities are needed in the area in order to attract new employees.
Senior advisor Nina Hahtela said on behalf of the Finnish Nurses Association, “This situation is quite a challenge for all the parties involved. I hope that the message gets through. At least the positions being expressed by candidates indicate that there is a desire to preserve jobs in the field.”
She went on to say, “I hope that the message about the situation in the sector will be taken seriously in the decision-making process. Local government decision makers are in the key position in this issue,” YLE reports.