A large number of young nurses consider switching professions, according to a survey done by the Finnish Nurses Association during the coronavirus period. The number of nurses and caregivers in Finland is depreciating. According to the Social Insurance Institution Kela, about one-third of practical nurses and a quarter of nurses will retire over the next 10 years.
Moreover, the number of youth applying to be caregivers is also declining. Last spring, just under 8,700 students applied for practical nurse training courses — 3,500 fewer than the past 5 years. In fact, nurses were at the top of the list of occupations facing a shortage with practical nurses in 6th place, according to the local employment offices’ occupational barometer in August.
Caregivers lament over poor pay
The biggest cause of dissatisfaction among carers is poor pay, according to a recent survey by the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland (Tehy). The basic salary of a freshly-graduated nurse is about 2,500 euros. That’s about 700 euros less than in Sweden or Denmark, and over 1,500 euros less than a hospital engineer working in the same job with the same length of training.
Young respondents of the Tehy survey criticized the low wages in the care sector, as well as staff shortages and the mental workload in particular.
The coronavirus crisis worsened situation
According to Eira, apart from the hectic work hours and the demanding nature of the work, the anxiety and fear brought about by the coronavirus crisis proved to be the last straw — she has decided to resign and study in another field.
“I am concerned that during the coronavirus period it has been taken for granted that caregivers do more work and expose themselves and their families,” she said. Due to the provisions of the Emergency Powers Act that came into effect from spring to summer this year, many carers had to postpone or cancel a vacation, work overtime or change their primary work tasks.
Young caregivers are facing tough times
The pandemic situation was particularly tougher on younger caregivers, the surveys revealed. According to Tehy, 76 percent of young carers feel that the coronavirus crisis has reduced their well-being at work.
Another survey by the Finnish Nurses Association revealed that nurses under the age of 35 experienced stress, anxiety, despair, guilt, and concern for their own tolerance to pressure more often than their older colleagues.
Anu Kaihlanen, a specialist researcher at the public health agency THL studied the so-called “transition shock” experienced by younger nurses. The sudden onset of greater responsibility and increased workload takes many freshly-minted caregivers by surprise and forces some of them to reconsider their career paths.
Kaihlanen estimated that the coronavirus crisis exacerbated the shock as workplace orientation was more rushed due to the pandemic situation and young caregivers were plunged into the deep end too soon.