The familiar term 'sister' for nurses may have faded from everyday language, but these frontline professionals remain indispensable at the bedside.
Since mid-March 2020, discussions around 'vital professions' have spotlighted essential workers—from cleaners and waste collectors to home care aides and pharmacists. Nurses, of course, stand out as a cornerstone of this group. Drawing on official data, here's a closer look at the facts and figures behind this demanding role.
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That's the total number of registered nurses in the Netherlands. While many serve in hospitals, they are equally vital in home care (such as district nursing), disability care, and elderly services, where demand continues to grow.
One in four working nurses—nearly 50,000 individuals—is aged 55 or older. This significant demographic raises concerns, given the physical demands of the job. Recent months have seen slightly higher turnover in some Dutch hospitals, potentially linked to the COVID-19 crisis. For instance, Radboudumc in Nijmegen reported up to 10% outflow among ICU nurses, though most cases involve natural retirements.
