RESEARCH PAPER Casualisation in the nursing workforce – the need to make it work AUTHORS ABSTRACT Mrs Susanne Becker Objective RN, MN, Grad Dip Nursing, BN, BTeach (Adults), PhD The aim of this paper is to highlight some of the Scholar, MRCNA challenges faced by the nursing profession in response Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University to increased casualisation of its workforce and why of South Australia, City East Campus, North Terrace, the presence of casualisation needs to be viewed in a Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. positive light.
[email protected] Setting Prof. Helen McCutcheon The nursing workforce worldwide. RN, RM, BA, MPH, PhD Head, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University Subjects of South Australia, City East Campus, North Terrace, Nurses who need or want to work as casuals. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Primary argument
[email protected] The care‑giving responsibilities of a predominantly Prof. Desley Hegney female workforce and the ageing of the nursing RN, Cert Occ Health Nursing, DipNursEd, BA (Hons), workforce worldwide means some nurses are PhD, FRCNA, FCN (NSW), FAIM choosing or need to work as casual employees Professor and Director of Research, Alice Lee Centre in order to remain in the workforce. Historically, for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, casuals have been viewed in a negative light National University of Singapore, Singapore. particularly in discussions around commitment and
[email protected] continuity‑of‑care. Without a change in attitude towards nurses who work as casuals, a significant portion of the nursing workforce may be lost. KEY WORDS Conclusions An ageing nursing workforce coupled with a worldwide nursing workforce; non‑standard work; casualisation; shortage of nurses means that employers need flexibility to ensure options are available to accommodate nurses requiring flexible rosters in order to encourage recruitment and retention.