Main findings from two surveys conducted by the Society early this month (July 2022) on nursing workload particularly related to COVID-10 and influenza, as well as staffing.   Data was collected using an online questionnaire with a sample of Society members.

In response to the question, “How well is your service or unit coping with the COVID-19 workload at present?”:

o   42% of respondents indicated very challenging

o   17% rated it unsatisfactory

o   36% satisfactory.

The comparable responses to the same question for seasonal influenza were:

o   44% responded very challenging

o   18% unsatisfactory

o   33% satisfactory.

More generally, in response to, “How would you rate the workload in the unit or service you work in?”:

o   67% rated the overall workload as too high or challenging

o   32% rated it manageable or reasonable.

Nursing staff levels in “the unit or service” were rated as:

o   44% unsatisfactory

o   25% poor

o   26% satisfactory

o   4% excellent.

Principal factors behind workload pressures included (in rank order):  

o   high number of colleagues on sick leave

o   overall workload in general – too many patients

o   high number of COVID-19 cases

o   high number of influenza patients

o   patients, whanau and/or visitors non-compliance with infection control measures

o   staff retention and/or recruitment issues.

Principal factors and/or concerns behind staffing shortages (in rank order):

o   high number of staff on sick leave

o   lack of experienced staff and/or staff mix concerns

o   chronic understaffing and/or under resourcing

o   day-to-day fluctuations

o   challenging workload

Limitations:  The survey had a relatively poor response rate – across both surveys there were only 842 respondents in total. Additionally, the results relate to early July 2022.

Main findings from two surveys conducted by the Society early this month (July 2022) on nursing workload particularly related to COVID-10 and influenza, as well as staffing.   Data was collected using an online questionnaire with a sample of Society members.

In response to the question, “How well is your service or unit coping with the COVID-19 workload at present?”:

o   42% of respondents indicated very challenging

o   17% rated it unsatisfactory

o   36% satisfactory.

The comparable responses to the same question for seasonal influenza were:

o   44% responded very challenging

o   18% unsatisfactory

o   33% satisfactory.

More generally, in response to, “How would you rate the workload in the unit or service you work in?”:

o   67% rated the overall workload as too high or challenging

o   32% rated it manageable or reasonable.

Nursing staff levels in “the unit or service” were rated as:

o   44% unsatisfactory

o   25% poor

o   26% satisfactory

o   4% excellent.

Principal factors behind workload pressures included (in rank order):  

o   high number of colleagues on sick leave

o   overall workload in general – too many patients

o   high number of COVID-19 cases

o   high number of influenza patients

o   patients, whanau and/or visitors non-compliance with infection control measures

o   staff retention and/or recruitment issues.

Principal factors and/or concerns behind staffing shortages (in rank order):

o   high number of staff on sick leave

o   lack of experienced staff and/or staff mix concerns

o   chronic understaffing and/or under resourcing

o   day-to-day fluctuations

o   challenging workload

Limitations:  The survey had a relatively poor response rate – across both surveys there were only 842 respondents in total. Additionally, the results relate to early July 2022.