From the Frontlines: Nursing Professionals Struggle with Higher Absenteeism Rates
Nurses Experience Higher Frequency of Illness Compared to Workers in Other Sectors - Healthcare Workers, Particularly Nurses, Experience Higher Illness Rates than other Professions
The pressure on nursing staff is visible in their striking average absenteeism rate as per the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Last year, nursing staff missed an average of 32.6 workdays, surpassing the national average of 28.5 days.
Manon Austenat-Wied, TK's regional director, explained this discrepancy: "Nursing professionals still have significantly higher absenteeism rates than other professions." TK's data showed an average of 24.6 days of absence across all occupations in 20XX.
"Day in and day out, our country's nursing heroes work wonders, often at the expense of their own health," Austenat-Wied said. She urged nursing facilities to cultivate a health-focused and supportive work environment to boost the allure of the profession. "Our nurses are invaluable and irreplaceable in our aging society," she emphasized, highlighting existing health promotion programs.
This study, conducted by Austenat-Wied, analyzed the sickness records of approximately 103,000 TK-insured employees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. TK is one of the biggest statutory health insurers with over 224,000 insured individuals in the region.
Nursing staff shortage is a significant issue in the region. Around 21,000 nursing professionals work in more than 1,000 long-term care facilities and services in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, serving over 120,000 individuals in need of care. The "Pact for Nursing" initiative, launched in fall 20XX, aims to retain skilled staff and ensure nursing care in rural areas. In the past, nursing facilities have had to shut down due to staff shortages.
Nursing can take a toll on emotional and physical well-being, leading to higher absenteeism. Factors like demanding workloads, stress, long hours, emotional demands, poor working conditions, staffing shortages, and the impact of health crises like the pandemic can contribute to the strain. However, the specific reasons for the elevated absenteeism rates among nursing staff in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as per TK's findings, remain unclear.
To reduce the high absenteeism rates among nursing professionals in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it is essential to implement a comprehensive community policy that includes workplace-wellness programs, focusing on health-and-wellness, nutrition, and stress management. Enhancing vocational training in these areas could help nursing staff sustain themselves physically and emotionally, contributing to a healthier work environment. Encouraging science-based approaches in these programs could provide a more robust foundation for the well-being of healthcare workers.
