Flexible working could improve retention

NHS Employers (2019) has just published its latest infographic illustrating the results of a survey undertaken in 2018, where 563 nursing students and registered nurses were asked their views about what would both attract them to a new role and make them want to stay in it. The opportunity for flexible working was cited in both groups.

Archard (2018) reflected that many aspects of the NHS have remained largely unchanged since its inception 70 years ago, and with this comes an inability to adapt quickly to accommodate the ever-changing requirements of modern society. Archard recognised that today there are up to five generations in the NHS workforce, which means that people are at different stages of their careers and have different expectations and needs. The question is therefore: ‘How far has the NHS moved towards fully considering flexible working as a viable approach?’