Decision makers must be made aware of the realities of front-line nursing

Nurses should ensure that the issues affecting the nursing workforce are not overlooked by those at the top 

We don't need to be reminded of the huge challenges we have faced since March 2020; we are all still finding a way to live with the fallout of a pandemic, personally and professionally.

Recruitment is a priority but we must also nurture our current workforce

However, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the many changes – some positive and some not so – to the way we work across our diverse organisations. As we play our part in supporting and delivering care across the UK's health and social care systems, we are aware that as one issue is resolved, another emerges.

We know that there are long-standing, multifaceted national nursing workforce pressures, especially for primary and community nursing. There were concerns about our colleagues’ workloads, well-being, stress and burnout long before we faced COVID-19.

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Despite some improvements, we continue to be challenged to gain adequate resources to provide clinical placements for nursing students, career and employment opportunities and and access to continuous professional development. Recruitment remains a priority. When we do successfully recruit, how do we nurture those individuals and recognise, value and appropriately manage their talent, to enable them to stay in the profession?

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We must actively seek opportunities to improve our health landscape

As we reflect on where we are, it is important to be aware of where we are going and what we are part of, and to have an eye on the future and the opportunities that may emerge. It is increasingly essential to understand the shifting health and care landscapes and the significant changes taking place in the political arena and in health policy, and their impact on the way we practice and on those we care for.

It is crucial that we consider how we as primary and community nurses engage with multi-professional leaders and senior nurse colleagues to promote understanding and recognition of nursing in our care settings. It is vital we actively engage and seek opportunities to connect with senior colleagues, ensuring that those in positions of influence and strategic decision-making roles are sufficiently informed and actively listening.

Kathryn Yates is director, Primary Care Nursing and Workforce Transformation, Londonwide Local Medical Committees