The hidden reserve of nurses and teachers in the Netherlands

Melline Somers, Lara Fleck, Wim Groot and Frits van Merode
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Melline Somers: RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research, ROA / Health, skills and inequality
Lara Fleck: ROA / Human capital in the region, RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research
Wim Groot: Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, RS: GSBE MGSoG, RS: CAPHRI - R2 - Creating Value-Based Health Care, Health Services Research
Frits van Merode: Faculteit FHML Centraal, RS: CAPHRI - R2 - Creating Value-Based Health Care

No 13, Research Memorandum from Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE)

Abstract: Like in many other high-income countries, the Netherlands experiences significant staff shortages in both healthcare and education. The key shortage occupations in these sectors are nurses and teachers. Both occupations suffer from high retirements rates and encounter difficulties in attracting and retaining (early career) workers. Due to early attrition, both sectors accumulate considerable hidden reserves. In this study, we estimate the magnitude of these hidden reserves and explore directions for unlocking this untapped potential. We define the hidden reserve as individuals who obtained a nursing or teaching diploma, but are not employed in the healthcare or education sector. Our definition of the hidden reserve also encompasses the number of additional hours that part-time workers could supply to reach a full-time working week. Using registry data, we show that the hidden reserves among (former) nurses and teachers by far exceeds the current staff shortages. Our analysis of survey data reveals that inactive nurses and teachers perceive several working conditions more favorably than their active counterparts. Activating this hidden reserve could involve strategies such as reducing work pressure and providing greater control over working hours, salary, and autonomy.

JEL-codes: I10 I20 J20 J30 J45 J81 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-11-14
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-lma
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:unm:umagsb:2024013

DOI: 10.26481/umagsb.2024013

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