The survey was carried out by Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), which represents the private and voluntary nursing home sector. This sector cares for almost 21,000 residents and accounts for more than 65% of all long-term beds in this country.
It found that 61% of nursing homes surveyed had one or more nursing vacancy, while 68% said that they had difficulty filling nursing vacancies in the past, despite advertising the positions in local and national media.
As a result, and similar to the situation within the wider healthcare system, many homes have had to recruit nurses from abroad.
The survey revealed that currently, there are 448 nursing posts available in this sector. Almost three quarters of nursing homes indicated that they would be in a position to offer nursing employment in the next 12 months, while one-quarter said they may be in such a position. Just 4% said they would not be able to offer employment.
As a result, the findings indicate that up to 1,364 nursing posts will be created in this sector over the coming year.
Commenting on the survey, NHI chief executive, Tadhg Daly, described the results as ‘quiet stark'.
"At a time when thousands of nursing jobs have been lost and many of our nursing graduates are emigrating, nursing homes are offering hundreds of rewarding and challenging employment opportunities in communities across Ireland and our survey also confirms further career opportunities in the year ahead," he said.
He added that NHI was ‘determined to respond to members' needs' and make nurses aware of the opportunities within this sector.
To this end, NHI is organising an inaugural national awareness day and recruitment seminar. It aims to highlight the opportunities available to nurses within this sector and provide advice on filling vacancies.
The event will take place on August 23 at the D4 Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin, from 2pm to 6pm. The keynote speaker will be Prof Brendan McCormack, director of the Institute of Nursing Research at the University of Ulster and president of the All Ireland Gerontological Nursing Association.
[Posted: Wed 20/07/2011 by Deborah Condon www.irishhealth.com]
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