The Nordic Nurses' Organizations Unite on Ethical Recruitment

Nurse shortages are a global issue, and if we recruit staff from one another, we're merely shifting the problem rather than solving it," says Lill Sverresdatter Larsen.

September 2024

Lill Sverresdatter Larsen is the president of both the Norwegian Nurses Organization (NSF) and the Nordic Nurses’ Federation (NNF).

On September 13, 2024, the NNF, representing over 340,000 nurses, gathered at the "Nordic Nurses' Federation Conference" in Reykjavik, Iceland. Ethical recruitment was a key topic on the agenda. Many nurses work across borders, which brings both advantages and challenges.

"At best, international mobility can provide nurses with new opportunities and professional inspiration. At worst, it can lead to workforce exploitation and brain drain from the countries of origin," explains Sverresdatter Larsen.

An Ethical Responsibility to Be Self-Sufficient in Healthcare Personnel

The shortage of nurses is severe and widespread globally. In the EU alone, there is currently a shortfall of around one million nurses, and by 2030, the world would need another 15 million nurses, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

"It is an ethical responsibility for each country to be self-sufficient in healthcare personnel. Governments must invest in the healthcare system by ensuring competitive wages and working conditions, so that nurses remain in the profession, return, or are motivated to pursue it. A well-functioning healthcare system is essential for a country's preparedness," emphasizes Sverresdatter Larsen.

Ethical Guidelines for Recruitment

Sverresdatter Larsen emphasizes that while all nurses have the individual right to migrate, problems arise when wealthier countries actively recruit from nations with weaker healthcare systems.

The WHO has developed ethical guidelines for the recruitment of healthcare personnel. Countries already facing critical nurse shortages are particularly vulnerable, and some are therefore red listed for recruitment, according to Dr. James Buchan, one of the speakers at the Reykjavik conference. He pointed out the importance of all countries adhering to international regulations.

"Health ministers have a responsibility to monitor and report where the nurses in their country are coming from. As the nursing shortage grows, so does the risk of unethical recruitment," she warns.

Joint Statement

All citizens should have the right to high-quality healthcare services. In Reykjavik, the Nordic nurses' organizations adopted a statement emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation on ethical recruitment and pressuring politicians to ensure compliance with WHO guidelines.

The presidents of the Nordic nursing organizations.