Advanced trade, technical and professional qualifications – matching supply to demand

9 - Nursing

Nursing qualifications cover registered and enrolled nurses, midwives and health care assistants.

The first report noted shortages for registered nurses and midwives. Registered nursing shortages were possibly more due to recruitment and retention than to undersupply of graduates, but graduate undersupply was noted as an issue for midwives.

Shortages of enrolled nurses appeared evident in 2007. Increased demand for people with nursing qualifications is being driven by greater demand for health services, including demand due to an aging population. This section looks at nursing as a whole by level of qualification. It was not possible to get separate data on midwifery at this level of detail.

9.1 Match of qualifications to occupation

People with nursing qualifications are more likely to work in the health professions than in other occupations.

Figure 9.1 shows that people with level 4 certificates in nursing (mostly health care assistants and nurse-aids) are more likely than other people with level 4 certificates to work in the health professions and associate professions, and less likely to work in other occupations. People with diplomas and bachelors in nursing are much more likely to work as health professionals and less likely to work in other occupation groups.

9.2 Unemployment

In general, people with nursing qualifications are less likely to be unemployed than people with qualifications at the same level in other fields.

Figure 9.2 shows both males and females with nursing diplomas or degrees are less likely to be unemployed than others with diplomas and degrees. For those with level 4 certificates, females are less likely to be unemployed than others with the same level of qualification.

9.3 Income

Nurses and health care workers are generally paid less than others with the same level of qualification.

Figure 9.3 shows that people with level 4 certificates in nursing earn considerably less relative to others with level 4 certificates in the same occupational groups. The differences are not as great at diploma level, but incomes are still lower, with the exception of those working in management. At bachelors level, their incomes are also lower than others with bachelors and above, with the exception of those working in management.

Nurses’ salaries have increased substantially after the data used for this report was collected. In July 2006, most nurses in public hospitals received an 8 percent pay increase. This was part of a 20 percent increase agreed in 2005. In 2007, a further 12 percent increase over three years was agreed. This will take the top pay rate for registered nurses to just over $60,000 in 2009.

Figure 9.1:  Are people with nursing qualifications more likely to work in related occupations?

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Figure 9.2:  Are people with nursing qualifications more likely to be unemployed?

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Figure 9.3:  Are people with nursing qualifications likely to earn more?
 

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Likelihood of earning more than $50,000 a year for certificates and diplomas and more than $70,000 for bachelors and above.