By 2029 we will be short of 36,500 nursing professionals: What prescriptions are needed to tackle the nurse shortage?

In March, Cooper, a digital platform for staff hiring in Switzerland, asked 300 healthcare professionals what their preferences and concerns were. The result is clear: they want more flexibility and more autonomy from their employers, hospitals, homes and home care organizations. Especially when it comes to working hours. No wonder: your industry is not known for flexible working hours.

One in four is not satisfied

Four out of five respondents want to work more flexibly. 36 percent want their workload to be fully flexible. In addition, 28.6 percent stated that they want to work part-time regularly. Only one in five people want a full-time job.

But what are the reasons for this? Problem workload for 60 percent. 30 percent are uncomfortable with long shifts and overtime. This leads to fatigue for many. In fact, for 28 percent, this is a major reason for not wanting to work full time.

more appreciation for hard work

Other reasons against full-time employment: family commitments (23.2 percent), lack of flexibility (22 percent), lack of appreciation of hard work (19.2 percent), too little free time (18.8 percent), as well as stress and time pressure (17.6 percent).

How to increase the proportion of full-time employees and thus fill the staffing gap? One in three people answer this question with a salary. “This shows that more attractive pay packages can encourage skilled workers to consider a full-time position,” says Yves Schneuwly (35) of Coople.

However, higher fees are not enough to provide long-term care and support in the future. Schneuwly believes: “Flexible working models can also help reactivate professionals leaving the healthcare industry.”

After all: the maintenance initiative, passed in 2021 and currently being turned into a federal law, is meeting these demands. It is not yet clear whether the measures will be sufficient.