Up to 1,400 Nursing Posts to be created in Private and Voluntary Nursing Home Sector

Wednesday, 27th July 2011

In next 12 months Nursing Homes Ireland survey reveals up to 500 nursing posts available in nursing homes nationwide at present

A Nursing Homes Ireland survey has revealed that up to 1,400 nursing posts are to be created within the private and voluntary nursing home sector over the next 12 months. The recent survey, carried out among members of the organisation, also reveals up to 500 nursing opportunities are immediately available within the private and voluntary nursing home sector. And up to 70% of member nursing homes are reporting difficulties in filling nursing posts.

The Nursing Homes Ireland survey of its members reported the levels of nursing employment and the projected number of posts to arise over the next 12 months.

The main findings of the survey, which was carried out between June 30th and July 4th, were as follows:

- 61% of those surveyed had one or more nursing vacancy.
- The survey indicates that there are 448 nursing posts immediately available in the nursing home sector.
- 71% said they would be in a position to offer nursing employment in the next 12 months; 25% said they may be able to offer such employment and just 4% replied they would not be in a position to do so.
- Asked to give an indication as to the projected numbers of posts that would be offered, the survey indicated that up a total of 1,364 nursing posts will be created in the private and voluntary nursing home sector in the next 12 months.
- 68% of the respondents said they had difficulty filling nursing vacancies in the past; 32 % said they did not.
- Respondents reported difficulties in fulfilling nursing vacancies, despite advertising such positions in local and national media. Respondents said that similar to the wider healthcare system they have had to recruit from abroad to fulfil nursing vacancies.

The stark findings revealed by the survey has prompted Nursing Homes Ireland to organise an inaugural national awareness day/recruitment seminar entitled Nursing Homes: Rewarding Career Opportunities.

The event will highlight the opportunities open to nurses within the private and voluntary nursing home sector, provide information on posts that are available, inform nurses of the rewarding career opportunities in the nursing home sector, the specialism that is Gerontological nursing and provide expert advice on filling vacancies. It will take place on Tuesday, August 23rd at the D4 Hotel, Ballsbridge, and run from 2pm to 6pm and includes keynote speaker Prof Brendan McCormack, Director Institute of Nursing Research, University of Ulster and President of the All Ireland Gerontological Nursing Association.

There are significant career opportunities within the private and voluntary nursing home sector together with the opportunity for Continuous Professional Development and career opportunities include but are not limited to, Practice Development, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and other posts.

Tadhg Daly, Nursing Homes Ireland Chief Executive Officer says: "The results of this survey are quiet stark in terms of the levels of nursing employment that are available within the private and voluntary nursing home sector. At a time when thousands of nurses 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. Nursing Homes Ireland is determined to respond to members needs and make nurses aware of the opportunities that are open to them within the sector and the challenges and unique opportunities employment within nursing homes offers. Nursing Homes: Rewarding Career Opportunities will highlight the excellent opportunities open to both nursing graduates and experienced nursing staff."

To register to attend the seminar on 23rd August contact NHI (01)4292570 or log on to http://www.nhi.ie

Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) is the representative organisation for the private and voluntary nursing homes sector. This sector, and the care our members provide, is a key part of the Irish health service. Private and voluntary nursing homes care for 20,950 residents, account for more than 65% of all long term care beds in the country, and, employ more than 21,000 staff.