Career
“Great Resignation” puts further strain on health system
Increased resignations from health workers is putting additional pressure on the American health system, according to research released by the Harvard Business Review.
According to the research, there have been 3.6% more resignations over the past year within the healthcare sector compared to the previous year, leading to mass vacancies and rampant understaffing in American hospitals.
The phenomenon – dubbed the “Great Resignation” – was high among employees who worked in fields that had experienced extreme increases in workload due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to increased stress and burnout from within the workforce.
The research found that increased resignations were highest among mid-career professionals, with the increase most stark in the 30-45 year-old cohort.
Interestingly, the research found that resignation had decreased in the 25-30 and 60-70 year old cohort, which could be attributed to the increased financial uncertainty brought about by the pandemic.
The researchers indicated that it was a ripe time for the sector to implement retention policies to address the drain that the “Great Resignation” was causing on the workforce.
“Many of these workers have simply reached a breaking point after months and months of high workloads, hiring freezes and other pressures,” the researchers said.
“Adopting a retention strategy isn’t easy, but it’s worth the effort to do it right, especially in the current market”.
D. Shephard says
On a Mental Health ward in a cross border community over 40 Mental Health clinicians have left within the past 2 years. Many replaced by NON Mental Health trained staff. The result inadequate mental health care for patients. Dangerous staffing practices, lack of training & basic mental health knowledge, fatigue, major safety & security breaches resulting in injuries to both patients & staff, bullying & intimidation by management resulted in staff shortages, due to mass resignations of Psychiatrists, Social workers, Occupational therapist, nurses at all levels & other allied health care workers.
It a disgrace that in this day & age, when Mental health is so prevalent in our communities that this has been allowed to happen.
Both the Victorian & NSW governments have turned their backs on the plights of these highly trained professionals. They provided such vital mental health essential care in these rural areas
It saddens me to see how mental health services & patient care has been allowed to be eroded over the years, to the detriment of all.
Regards a mental health nurse trying to do her best for her patients.
George Glasheen says
I have recently completed agency contract at a cross border facility staff morale non existent frequent incidence of negative comments about colleagues blame put on management understaffed ++, HR slow to investigate concerns raised re understaffed and staff misconduct!!!