Struggling Health of Nursing Staff in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Healthcare Workers Sick More Frequently Than Staff in Other Industries, Study Finds - Healthcare Workers in Nursing Field Experience Higher Illness Rates Compared to Other Professions
In the zealous realm of healthcare, nursing professionals in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are clocking in more sick days than their counterparts in other sectors, according to data shared by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). Last year, these dedicated workers took an average of 32.6 days off, significantly above the national average of 28.5 days.
TK's state manager, Manon Austenat-Wied, paints a vivid picture of the situation: "Nursing professionals in our country bear the weight of superhuman tasks, often at the expense of their own health." With an average sick leave of 24.6 days across all professions in 2021, it's safe to say nursing staff are faring worse.
Austenat-Wied underscores the importance of fostering a nurturing work environment within nursing companies, claiming this would enhance the attractiveness of the profession and help alleviate the burden. "Nursing staff are indispensable bedrocks in our aging society," she aptly asserts. Given the existing health promotion programs, there's no escaping the call to action.
To arrive at this distressing conclusion, TK assessed sickness records from around 103,000 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern residents covered by TK, one of Germany's largest health insurance funds.
A pressing need for nursing staff already exists within the region's over 1,000 long-term care facilities and services, with approximately 120,000 residents requiring care, a number that continues to grow. To address the staff shortage issue and bolster care in rural areas, the "Pact for Nursing" initiative was introduced in autumn 2023. As history has shown, nursing facilities have succumbed to closure due to staff shortages.
The Underlying Cause
The steep incline in absenteeism among nursing staff can be attributed to the severe nursing shortage and the relentless workload this entails. Nurses are working under intense stress, with the strain taking a substantial toll on their health. This chronic stress is often the root cause of various health problems, leading to increased sick days.
Due to the difficulty in recruiting and retaining nurses, job vacancies are frequently left unfilled for extended periods. Their absence only exacerbates the workload on the remaining employees, setting off a cycle of stress and burnout.
Breaking the Vicious Cycle
To curb the vicious circulation of stress and staff shortages within the nursing sector, it's crucial to address the underlying issue of workload and staffing shortages by implementing supportive work environments, promoting health-focused practices, and ensuring comprehensive strategies are in place to retain nursing staff. Nursing professionals play a pivotal role in providing care for society's vulnerable and aging population, and their well-being must be prioritized to safeguard and nurture the future of healthcare.
- To promote mental health and wellbeing among nursing staff in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it could be practical to integrate workplace-wellness programs focused on stress management and relaxation techniques within the community policy, coupled with vocational training programs that emphasize self-care and work-life balance.
- In addition to fostering a nurturing work environment, science-driven health-and-wellness initiatives, such as implementing ergonomic equipment and adopting evidence-based practices to reduce physical strain, could potentially help lower sick days taken by nursing professionals, ultimately enhancing their overall health and wellbeing.
