Demographic situation of Poland and Europe in the context of the risk of premature retirement from the profession of nurse

Abstract

This paper presents the current demographic situation in Poland and Europe, with particular emphasis on the ageing of the population. Attention was drawn to the difficult situation of Polish nursing in the context of staff shortages and the alarmingly high average age of staff. The ageing of the working population is particularly visible in the group of professional nurses. In 2014 (as of 31 December), the average age of nurses registered in the Central Register of Nurses and Midwives was 48. 4 years. Over the past years, there has been an upward trend in the value of this indicator. In 2015, only 29. 5% of nurses in Poland were mobile at working age. The remaining ones were either at the working immobile age (50. 6% of the total number registered) or at the post-working age (19. 9%). The employment rate decreases with age. Its low value in the older age group is partly due to the fact that at present some 55-64 year olds retire, but a significant part of them are unable to continue working and leave before reaching retirement age. It is important to adapt working conditions to the needs of older people. This would significantly reduce early school leaving. Faced with the challenges of staff shortages in nursing, this seems to be the overriding goal.