Why supporting nurses means strengthened healthcare
In every hospital corridor, emergency ward, aged care home, and rural clinic, nurses are there, listening, advocating, administering, comforting, and healing. They are the foundation of healthcare systems around the world, yet too often their contributions are overlooked, underappreciated, or under-supported.
If we want to build resilient, high-quality healthcare systems that meet the needs of the 21st century, we must start by supporting nurses. Because when nurses thrive, entire health systems improve.
Nurses account for nearly 60% of the global health workforce, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). They are the first and often last point of care. From chronic disease management to mental health support, palliative care to emergency response, nurses are at the centre of patient experiences.
They do more than treat, they educate, coordinate, advocate, and innovate. In remote and rural areas, they may be the only health professional available. Their knowledge, agility, and commitment form the scaffolding of safe, people-centred healthcare.
Despite their critical role, nurses are increasingly stretched thin. Around Australia, healthcare systems are experiencing rising demand for services, driven by a wide range of factors, including our ageing populations, chronic diseases, pandemics, and social health inequalities. At the same time, the nursing workforce is under strain from:
- Staff shortages;
- Burnout and mental health pressures;
- Falling patient-to-nurse ratios; and
- Inadequate pay and recognition.
The most recent Talent Quarter Healthcare Job Index showed that these trends are continuing. 72% of hiring professionals surveyed confirmed that their facility had a staff shortage and of those 34 % confirmed that despite ongoing shortages, they were unlikely to hire more staff during the next quarter.
21% of facilities with a current staff shortage don’t expect to hire more staff over the next 3 months:
74% of hiring professionals in public hospitals reported a staff shortage in comparison to 91% in the previous repotting period and 61% in private facilities. However, public hospitals are more likely to be able to use agency staff to fill temporary vacancies, with 80% of hiring managers confirming their access to agency staff when compared with 46% in private facilities.
Whilst 77% of respondents confirmed that the competitive job market is their biggest retention challenge, 69% also indicated that staff burnout or stress are key issues, up from 40% in the previous survey.
When we support nurses, not just emotionally, but structurally, we trigger a ripple effect of healthcare improvement, which include:
Better patient outcomes
Studies show that better nurse staffing and working conditions lead to lower mortality rates, fewer medical errors, and improved patient satisfaction. Supportive environments enable nurses to deliver safer, more attentive, and evidence-based care.
Reduced workforce turnover
A supportive workplace culture—fair pay, manageable workloads, mental health support, and career pathways—helps retain experienced nurses. This saves costs associated with turnover and maintains the knowledge continuity critical to patient safety.
Health system efficiency
Nurses are highly skilled professionals who often know how to streamline care, reduce duplication, and flag inefficiencies. When nurses are empowered to contribute to service design and leadership, health systems become more adaptive and responsive.
Health equity
In many rural and regional settings, nurses are the lifeline of care. Supporting them with resources, training, and fair compensation ensures more equitable healthcare delivery across geographic and social lines.
But what does support actually mean? It goes beyond the appreciation posts and celebratory days (though those definitely help draw attention to both the profession and the issues it faces), and real support involves practical, systemic investment in:
- Safe staffing levels
- Fair wages and benefits
- Ongoing professional development
- Mental health and wellbeing programs
- Flexible work arrangements
- Inclusion in decision-making and leadership roles
The global nursing shortage, estimated at over 6 million nurses, is not just a workforce problem, it’s a public health crisis. Solving it requires international cooperation, ethical recruitment practices, increased education investment, and a shift in how the profession is perceived.
Supporting nurses isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart, sustainable path forward for healthcare systems under pressure.
