Spain is currently facing a significant shortage of nurses, prompting many autonomous communities to seek new hires. The General Council of Nursing estimates that the country requires over 95,000 additional professionals to match the nurse-to-population ratios of its European neighbors. With only 6.16 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, Spain lags behind countries like the United Kingdom, which has 10.34, and Norway, boasting 21.68.
Despite the urgent need for healthcare workers within the National Health System, many nurses are leaving for better job opportunities abroad. In 2023 alone, Spain lost over 1,400 nurses who relocated to countries such as Norway (336), the United States (226), and the United Kingdom (60). According to Florentino Pérez Raya, president of the General Council of Nursing, “Spanish nurses are highly sought after in the world’s most developed countries. Our training and international prestige make them invaluable to any healthcare system. Unfortunately, this is resulting in a loss of well-prepared human capital.”
In light of this brain drain, Spain has turned to hiring nurses from Latin America. In 2021, the country recognized the qualifications of 305 foreign nurses, the majority of whom were from Spanish-speaking countries.
This situation does not imply a lack of job opportunities in Spain. In fact, regions are competing to retain their nursing professionals, with more than 6,000 nurses switching health services in 2023 due to unfavorable working conditions.
Barcelona emerged as the leading province for nursing hires in 2023, bringing in 2,378 non-specialized nurses, according to the SEPE Occupations Observatory. This was followed by Madrid with 921, Navarra with 767, and Vizcaya with 668. Other regions like Zamora, Valladolid, Valencia, and Seville also increased their numbers of non-specialized nurses.
For specialized nurses who passed the EIR exam, there were 744 new hires, excluding midwives. Madrid topped this category with 442, followed by Alicante with 102, Navarra with 51, and Las Palmas with 70. Other provinces like Zamora and Santa Cruz de Tenerife also made significant additions.
Labor unions have raised alarms about the shortage of healthcare professionals as summer approaches, which coincides with nurses taking vacations. Some regions have responded by enhancing their nursing staff to cope with the summer demands.
Cádiz has made a notable commitment by hiring 220 non-specialized nurses in June 2024, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country added 210 non-specialized nurses, a 30% increase compared to June 2023, while Lleida hired 184 professionals. Additionally, regions such as Álava, Badajoz, and Ciudad Real have also expanded their nursing services.
When it comes to specialized nurses, Badajoz has stood out with 48 new hires over the summer, excluding midwives. Other provinces like Álava and Salamanca have also added specialized nursing staff. Lleida and Madrid have specifically brought in new midwives to their health services as well.
The ongoing efforts to address staffing shortages reflect the critical importance of supporting and improving working conditions for nurses in Spain. For more insights on the current state of nursing in different countries, you might want to explore resources such as the World Health Organization or the OECD’s health data.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/2024/07/21/donde-hay-mas-trabajo-de-enfermera-en-espana-estas-son-las-comunidades-que-mas-contratan/
