Nurse Staffing and the Nursing Workforce
Many countries face a shortage of nurses, and studies link low staffing to more errors, longer hospital stays and higher death rates. Building and keeping a strong nursing workforce is one of the biggest challenges in healthcare today.
At Nursing Science 2027, workforce research is presented mainly in the nursing management session. Managers, policymakers and researchers share evidence on staffing, recruitment and retention.
Key Topics in Nurse Staffing and the Nursing Workforce
- Safe staffing levels and nurse-to-patient ratios
- Nursing shortage: causes and solutions
- Nurse retention and turnover
- Recruitment, including international recruitment
- Workforce planning and modelling
- Skill mix and nursing support roles
- Agency and temporary staffing
- Flexible working and career pathways
- Ageing workforce and late-career nurses
- Staffing and patient outcomes research
Recent Advances in Nurse Staffing and the Nursing Workforce
Acuity tools and real-time staffing data, often built into EHRs and nursing informatics, are helping managers match nurses to patient needs shift by shift. Growing nursing student numbers is another key strategy, linking workforce planning with nursing education and research.
International recruitment has helped fill gaps but raises questions on ethics and fair registration, discussed in nursing regulation. Retention depends heavily on wellbeing and working conditions, a focus of occupational health nursing.
Who Should Attend
- Directors of nursing and nurse executives
- Workforce planners and HR leads
- Ward and unit managers
- Health policy makers
- Nursing unions and professional bodies
- Health workforce researchers
Why Present Your Workforce Research
Nursing Science 2027 gives you an international audience for nursing workforce research. You can compare staffing policies across countries and share retention strategies that have worked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I present a retention initiative from my hospital?
Yes. Retention projects with turnover or vacancy data are welcome.
Are policy analyses on safe staffing accepted?
Yes. Policy and legislation reviews on nurse staffing are welcome.
Where is Nursing Science 2027?
Nursing Science 2027 takes place at Delta Hotels Heathrow Windsor in London, UK.