Half of Nurses, Midwives Considering Leaving Profession

Nearly half of Queensland nurses and midwives are considering leaving the profession amid chronic understaffing and aggression leading to burnout. Of the 20,000 Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) members, 46 percent of them are overworked, burnt out and considering quitting, a poll revealed. “Queensland public nurses and midwives are talking about leaving the professions they love indicating that something is drastically wrong,” QNMU member and nurse of 50 years Christine Cocks told reporters. “They are burnt out, exhausted and feel that no one in government is listening, in fact, they know no one in government is listening because nothing has changed.” The growing pressures started during COVID-19 with more presentations to hospitals but not enough staff to cope and is only escalating with continual population growth and cuts to bulk billing....