Work and wellbeing

The results of RNAO’s Work and Wellbeing Survey released in March tell the story of nurses and a nursing workforce under considerable stress and strain. While all nurses have been affected by the pandemic, how they experience stress and strain is as unique as the nurses themselves.

“For most respondents, the experience has been one of stress and, for a significant minority, struggles to cope. About 90 per cent have experienced at least moderate stress due to the pandemic with mid-career nurses reporting the highest levels of stress but earlycareer nurses reporting the greatest challenges with coping,” says the report.

Many nurses have reached their limit and are, post-pandemic, planning to depart the profession at significantly higher rates than usual. At least 13 per cent of RNs aged 26 to 35 reported they are very likely to leave the profession after the pandemic — a figure four times the normal rate of attrition for that age cohort. The survey also shows that Ontario could be facing increased departure rates for mid-career nurses.

Losing that many nurses would have a profound and lasting effect on how Ontario’s health system functions, according to the RNAO. The good news is that there’s a 70 per cent surge in applicants to BScN programs, the association says. But the survey points to the need for better supports for nurses — particularly from government and employers — as they attempt to manage the impacts of the pandemic.