Casualisation in the nursing workforce – the need to make it work
Casual Work
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Casual Work
Casualisation in the nursing workforce – the need to make it work
In societies, there are social issues that face individuals. These issues range from poverty, poor health to challenges such as casual work and homosexuality in society. Becker et al. (2010) highlights some of the challenges that the nursing profession face in response to increased casualisation of its workforce, as well as, why the presence needs to be viewed in a positive way.
Becker et al. (2010) argue that a higher percentage of nurses work in non-standard kinds of employment such as casual and part-time as a result of the increase in casualisation of the nursing workforce in recent years. According to Becker et al. (2010), the change from the standard forms of employment has been due to economic and competitive pressures. Research shows that the change towards casual work has been on the increase and estimates reveal that one in four employees, in Australia, is a casual worker. According to Becker et al. (2010), this is one of the highest rates in the modernized world. In the United States, it is approximated that between 20-27 percent of workers in the health and education sectors are categorized as casual workers. People in casual labor, work on an irregular and short-term basis. Workers choose casual labor in order to gain flexibility. In addition, casual labor is associated with workers with lesser commitment levels.
In order to establish the challenges that casual laborers face, the researcher studied the nursing workforce globally. The subjects analyzed were nurses who work or wish to work as casuals.
The researcher found out that the care giving tasks of a mostly female workforce and the ageing of the nursing personnel globally means some nurses are choosing or need to work as casual employees to remain in the labor force. Historically, casual laborers have been perceived in a negative way particularly in debates on commitment (Becker, 2010). The significant part of the nursing personnel may be lost if there is no change in attitude for nurses who work as casuals. An ageing nursing labor force, as well as, a universal scarcity of nurses implies that employers should ensure alternatives exist to accommodate nurses who require flexible schedule so as to encourage enrollment and retention. Policies and programs are required to ensure that all staff feel appreciated and supported and are capable of contributing to their profession (Becker, 2010). Maintaining a portion of the workers in a flexible form will allow an increase staffing options, as well as, ensuring that ample knowledgeable employees are available to maintain quality care to patients.
Sexual Behavior among Casual Workers in an International nightlife resort
There is little information, which is known, about the sexual conduct of those who extend time overseas through casual work. The authors sought to find out the sexual behavior among casual workers. Casual work according to the authors is a social problem as it leads to other issues such as infection and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (Hughes & Bellis, 2006).
According to Hughes & Bellis, (2006), many countries are experiencing a decline in sexual health especially amongst young population. The increase in the rates of travels to abroad means that sex is a considerable aspect in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Casual workers in nightclubs and bars earn relatively low amounts of income as compared to other workers in standard work. A high number of people travel to abroad to work as casual laborers. Therefore, young people working abroad may engage in sexual activities with travelers. This is exhibited by the seasonal visits to health clinics either due to illnesses related to sexual activities or termination of pregnancies. This occurs especially at summer holidays. Casual laborers at international resorts undertake such sexual activities with travelers in order, to gain extra finances. However, the risk that the casual workers expose themselves is high as they mostly engage in unprotected sexual behavior (Hughes & Bellis, 2006). In Spain, Ibiza is among the famous holiday resorts for young people (British). Here, those people that have no partners engage in sexual activities with the casual workers. This is the opposite of what casual workers should do as other casual laborers are placed to deliver health interventions to travelers.
In order to achieve their objectives, researchers used questionnaires on British bar and nightclub workers. In addition, questionnaires were administered on people from Britain who visited Ibiza for exclusively holiday purposes. The authors discovered that 80.5% of people that arrived in Ibiza engaged with intimate relationships with casual workers during their stay. The researchers found out that casual laborers in nightclubs and bars abroad are a key risk for sexual health. They are also a probable agent for the global spread of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS. According to Hughes & Bellis, (2006), casual workers at these places are a chief target group for sexual health promotion, as well as, well-trained; they are placed to send sexual health interventions to young travelers (Hughes & Bellis, 2006).
References
Becker, S., McCutcheon, H., & Hegney,, D. (2010). Casualisation in the nursing workforce – the need to make it work. . Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 28(1), 45-51.
Hughes, K., & Bellis, M. (2006). Sexual Behavior among Casual Workers in an International nightlife resort: a Case Control Study. BMC Public Health, 6(39), 46-60.
