While exact annual numbers vary, a significant wave of nurses is retiring, with projections suggesting over one million registered nurses (RNs) will retire by 2030 in the US alone, driven by an aging workforce and factors like burnout, leading to substantial shortages. Globally, about 19% of nurses are expected to retire in the next decade, adding to ongoing workforce strain.
50% of New Nurses Quit Within 2 Years – Why They're Leaving. Nursing is facing a critical challenge that threatens patient care quality and healthcare system stability: high nurse turnover rates, particularly among those in their first two years of service.
The nursing and midwifery unemployment rate has remained stable at 2.8% of the labour force since 2016. The following analysis of the Nursing and Midwifery 'workforce' is drawn from the number of employed nurses and midwives (344,941 in 2019 as indicated by maroon shading in figure 1) unless otherwise stated.
Nursing Issue #1: Inadequate Staff
Focusing on value-based and holistic patient-centered care requires a larger, more diverse, and highly educated nursing workforce. But maintaining adequate staffing remains an ongoing issue.
The annual turnover rate per ward was 15.1% overall, ranging from 12.6% in NSW to 16.7% in WA.
The highest-paid nurses in Australia are typically Nurse Practitioners (NPs), due to their advanced training and authority to diagnose and treat patients, with salaries potentially exceeding $150,000 annually, followed by senior roles like Nurse Unit Managers, Clinical Nurse Consultants, and Nurse Educators, with higher earnings often found in public sector or remote roles like Remote Area Nurses (RANs).
Accommodation and food services has the highest job turnover rate in Australia (15.5%), with above average rates for other services, retail trade, admin and support services and manufacturing. Job turnover was lower in real estate services, agriculture, forestry and fishing and wholesale trade.
Essential components of hourly rounding, often referred to as the “5 P's”, include assessing pain, restroom needs, proximity of possessions, patient position, and safety of environment for patients every hour during waking hours (Brosey & March, 2015).
Nursing is one of the most rewarding and challenging professions in health care. During a 12-hour shift, nurses may take on a demanding workload due to staffing shortages; endure workplace bullying; risk exposure to infection; and, despite all their professional experience, still lose patients.
The nurse shortage results in added pressure in an already high-stress environment. This worsens burnout among nurses as they have to take on extra responsibilities. The impact is usually a decline in morale, which increases turnover rates and ignites a vicious cycle that could perpetuate a long-term shortage.
In Australia, the nursing specialties in the highest demand are Aged Care, driven by an aging population, and Mental Health, due to increasing need for psychological support, with high demand also for Critical Care/ICU, Paediatrics, Perioperative, and Midwifery, particularly in rural areas. These roles address key healthcare challenges, including chronic disease management in the elderly, rising mental health concerns, and ongoing needs in acute hospital settings, notes Superior Care Group.
Nurse density worldwide 2022, by country
In 2022, Switzerland had the highest number of practicing nurses per capita, that is, for every 1,000 population there were 18 practicing nurses in Switzerland. This is followed by Norway and Iceland.
Registered Nurses in Australia have the best career if you factor in the work conditions, stability, and good career growth. You earn great to live comfortably, and the longer you stay in the role, your career will grow accordingly.
While nurses in all specialties are prone to stress and burnout, critical care nurses experience the highest levels. Nurses who work in the ED and ICU have higher acuity patients with increased morbidity and mortality.
The " nurse syndrome" is often invoked in the field of private relationships, to refer to women (mainly) who tend to invest in intimate relationships with people in pain whom they find themselves taking care of, at the risk of permanently establishing an imbalance in the couple, or even toxic relationships.
Registered nurses are leaving the profession within the first two years of practice at rates as high as 33%. It has been suggested that nurses leave due to factors such as bullying by coworkers, inadequate educational preparation and/or orientation as a new hire, and more recently, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to one study, ICU nurses are more susceptible to professional stress and burnout, which negatively impact their physical and mental health. Since the ICU is often the last resort for patients in critical condition, ICU nurses face a blend of medical emergencies daily while on the job.
According to a 2025 survey of 3,128 nursing leaders, the top challenge facing the nursing profession is staff recruitment and retention. The current shortage began in 2012 and is expected to continue to at least 2030.
Some common weaknesses in nurses include: excessive focus on paperwork and getting every detail correct. failing to connect with patients, and not building a strong rapport. attempting to multitask and taking on too many different challenges at one time.
Nurses working in a hospital setting are often required to complete hourly rounding, which is the practice of checking in on all patients under your care at least once every hour.
One study found a significant correlation between conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness, neuroticism, and the personal responsibility of nurses, emphasizing the crucial role of nurses' personalities in personal responsibility. Considering this during nursing staff selection may have practical implications.
The patients have to be able to recite the answers to the “Five Ds of Discharge:” Diagnosis, Drugs, Doctor, Directions and Diet. “The patients need to answer all the questions,” said Tracy Stowe, R.N., B.S.N., manager, discharge lounge, clinical decision unit and float pool.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing is hard and dangerous work. Not only do workers have to deal with hazards like chemicals, noise, dust, sun, animals and dangerous equipment, the work is often remote and isolated. This is the deadliest business for Australian workers to be in.
Jobs paying $200k+ in Australia are common in specialized fields like Medicine (Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Specialists), Technology (Data Scientists, Cloud Engineers), Engineering, Executive Management (C-Suite, Directors), Law, and high-end Sales, with significant opportunities also in the Mining sector, alongside specialized roles in Finance, Construction Management, and Healthcare Administration, often requiring significant experience or niche skills.
A $75k salary in Australia is decent, above the median income for many age groups and allowing for comfortable living in regional areas, but it can be tight in expensive cities like Sydney or Melbourne, especially for families, with many feeling $100k is needed for stability, though it's a strong starting point for younger professionals. After tax, $75k becomes roughly $58.6k ($4,888/month), meaning lifestyle, location, and financial goals (like saving for a house) heavily influence whether it's considered "good".