The retention of nurses in Member States of the WHO European Region is central to “Nursing Action”, a landmark European Union (EU)-funded initiative aimed at strengthening the nursing workforce across the EU and Norway and ultimately improving people’s health.
Representatives from 20 participating countries recently gathered at WHO/Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss draft national reports analysing retention of nursing staff across 7 key dimensions. These reports, which are the result of a comprehensive policy mapping and statistical review process, are a stepping stone towards the goals of “Nursing Action”.
Through a collaborative process involving different stakeholders, including governments, trade unions and employers, countries discussed solutions to common challenges in attracting and retaining nurses in the health labour market. They also shared best practices and identified opportunities for sharing learning and working together.
“We are moving decisively from research to action,” said Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems at WHO/Europe. “This in-person gathering here in Copenhagen demonstrates the commitment of countries to addressing one of the most pressing health workforce challenges in Europe. By working together and sharing experiences, we can build more resilient health systems anchored by a strong and supported nursing workforce.”
Assessing nurse retention
The research approach draws on both quantitative and qualitative data from existing national and international databases and documents, adapted to reflect the unique characteristics of the nursing workforce. The 7 dimensions covered in the reports are:
- safety, well-being and ethics, including safe work environments, nurses’ well-being, access to protective equipment and ethical standards;
- income and benefits, such as wages and allowances;
- working time and work–life balance, encompassing shift patterns, overtime and flexibility;
- security, including job security, stability and career progression;
- social dialogue, including collective bargaining;
- skills and development, focusing on access to lifelong learning, upskilling and specialization; and
- work relationships and motivation, covering leadership, positive workplace environments and relationships, and recognition.
These dimensions align with indicators already reported by countries to WHO, the European Commission and other international bodies. This alignment ensures that the findings not only support national policy planning but also contribute to broader efforts to advance health, well-being and decent work conditions across the Region.
“What is important to understand is that every country has done something in at least one of these areas, and we have established a platform for countries to share those experiences,” explained Dr Tomas Zapata, Head of the Health Workforce and Service Delivery Unit at WHO/Europe.
He continued, “During the meeting, national focal points shared good practice experiences and explored how the findings could be used to spark or strengthen national dialogue and policy action around nursing retention with key social partners. The session also featured country presentations sharing best practices and ideas for twinning and peer learning opportunities, underscoring the project’s commitment to collaborative progress.”
More about “Nursing Action”
Launched in September 2024, “Nursing Action” is funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE) as part of its EU4Health initiative. The project aims to develop tailored, evidence-based solutions that support the recruitment and retention of nurses while improving working conditions and making the profession more appealing to a range of target groups, including younger generations but also second-career professionals.
“This initiative is about more than data – it’s about dialogue and impact,” said Ms Margrieta Langins, Nursing and Midwifery Policy Adviser at WHO/Europe. “By combining robust evidence with real-world experiences, we are equipping countries to make informed, meaningful policy changes that will support nurses now and into the future.”
Regional civil society partners also joined the meeting, including the European Nursing Student Association, the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations, the European Federation of Nurses Associations, and the European Public Service Union.
Next steps for the project include further analyses of the education market and mental health and well-being, which will feed into national policy dialogues to support countries in developing context-specific actions to improve retention and recruitment strategies.