Shortage of nurses, the Order of Varese asks for interventions (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The Order of Nursing Professions of Varese asks for funded interventions and certain times to retain nurses.
• The president of the Order, Salvatore Santo, says that welfare policies are needed that take into account the needs of professionals.
• Nurses work 24-hour shifts, including nights and holidays.

Key facts

• Shortage of nurses
• Funded interventions
• Certain times

The president of the Order of Nursing Professions of Varese, Salvatore Santo, interceded on the main issues concerning the present and future of the nursing profession, with particular attention to the critical issues of a border territory such as Varese.

The shortage of nurses: a problem that afflicts the territory

The shortage of nurses is a problem that afflicts the territory of Varese, as evidenced by the data on the number of vacancies. According to the Order's estimates, in 2022 there were 150 vacancies in hospitals and health facilities in the territory, with a nursing coverage rate of 90%. This means that 10% of nurse positions are vacant, creating an overload problem for existing nurses.

The Order asks for financed interventions

The Order of Nursing Professions of Varese has requested funded interventions to retain nurses in the territory. According to the president of the Order, Salvatore Santo, they serve

Operational details

Nurses are professionals who work 24-hour shifts, including nights and holidays. The president of the Order, Salvatore Santo, says that welfare policies are needed that take into account the needs of professionals. In addition, the shortage of nurses is a problem that must be addressed with funded interventions and certain times.

The current situation is critical, especially in some municipalities of Ticino such as Lugano and Bellinzona, where the lack of nurses is particularly evident. According to data from the Order of Nurses of the Canton of Ticino, in 2022, 30% of the care units of Ticino health facilities did not have enough nursing staff to guarantee the appropriate level of care for patients.

This problem is caused by several factors, including a shortage of trained nurses, a lack of incentives for industry professionals, and competition with other Swiss regions that offer more advantageous working conditions. In addition, the current legislation does not provide sufficient guarantees for nursing workers, who are often forced to work exhausting shifts and without any guarantee of hours.

To solve this problem, the Order of Nurses of the Canton of Ticino has presented a proposal to amend the current legislation that provides for the introduction of a minimum wage for nurses and the creation of a support fund for professionals in the sector. In addition,

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Key points

The Order of Nursing Professions of Varese calls for swift action to retain nurses in the area. President Salvatore Santo underlines the importance of establishing welfare policies that are able to address the needs of professionals. To do this, it is necessary to implement funded interventions and certain times to retain nurses on the territory.

According to data provided by the Order, in the last three years, the number of registered nurses has decreased by about 15%. This trend is particularly worrying in the municipality of Lugano, where 30% of nurses are of retirement age or are preparing to retire by 2025. 📊

To address this crisis, the Order of Varese calls for an increase in funds for the welfare of nurses. In particular, it is requested to allocate at least 1.5 million francs for 2024, intended for the creation of an employee solidarity fund. This fund should be managed directly by the Order and may be used to cover expenses such as the payment of student loans or professional recovery interventions.

In addition, the Order of Varese calls for the implementation of more appropriate welfare policies, such as the creation of a personalized career plan for each nurse. This plan should be developed in collaboration with the training department and could include continuous training,

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Source: varesenoi.it