Young nurses leaving
By 2030 Canada is expected to suffer a shortage of almost 118,000 nurses. And, things may get worse unless we fix the fact that for every 100 nurses we train in Canada, 40 are leaving the profession before their 35th birthday, states Emmanuelle Faubert, an economist at Montreal Economic Institute.
According to Faubert’s report, this figure is up 25% from a decade ago. British Columbia had the worst stats with 46 for every hundred new applicants seeking greener pastures.
Only a decade ago, Faubert tells us that Ontario used to be able to better retain its nurses than most provinces with less than one in five young nurses leaving the profession. “Much like the rest of the country Ontario needs to find ways to bring back more flexibility in workplaces to help with retention” he adds.
Some of the most commonly cited concerns include lack of control over their work schedules, mandatory overtime and a lack of shift flexibility. Those who expressed a desire to quit their current positions were more likely to express interest in working for an independent nursing agency, a final step before leaving the profession as they felt these agencies offered better working conditions with more options when it came to working times and better pay.
Source: Montreal Economic Institute
Cold swims and menopause
Significant improvements to both physical and mental symptoms were reported by menopausal women who swam regularly in cold water suggests a new study published in Post Reproductive Health by Professor Joyce Harper.
Findings in 1114 women surveyed, 785 who were experiencing menopause, that anxiety, mood swings, low mood and hot flashes as a result of cold-water swimming. One participant said, “cold water is phenomenal. It’s saved my life. In the water I can do anything. All my symptoms disappear and I feel like me at my best”.
Nearly half of the women in the study who also experienced menstrual symptoms also said that cold water swimming improved their anxiety and over 1/3 said it helped with mood swings and irritability.
Women surveyed claimed that their motivations for being outside in the cold water was to improve both their mental health and to get exercise.
Also of note: most women who were involved in the study were already swimming in both summer and winter and were more likely to wear swim suites rather than wet suits.
Researchers made a point of cautioning new and existing swimmers that there were risks including raw sewage pollution –a common concern in UK rivers and seas which can increase the likelihood of gastroenteritis and other infections.
Source: University College London
Parents thinking of suicide
Mums and Dads of children with disabilities face an often-ignored mental health crisis, with new research revealing an alarmingly high rate of suicidal thoughts. A recent study found that over 40% of British parents caring for children with disabilities or chronic illnesses have contemplated or planned to take their own lives.
This statistic raises concern, but it’s not entirely unexpected for those familiar with the hardships parent caregivers face—a point highlighted by lead researcher Siobhan O’Dwyer from the University of Birmingham. “What’s shocking is that so many parents have been suffering in silence,” she notes, emphasizing the need for more open discussions around these issues.
O’Dwyer’s study highlights the complex emotional rollercoaster parents navigate:•Feelings of entrapment—being overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities without respite—are common•Many parents report feeling locked into their circumstances, leading to a sense that suicide is the only escape•A significant portion of those with suicidal thoughts had not shared their feelings with anyone, which reflects a culture of stigma and fear surrounding mental health in the parenting community.
Addressing this crisis requires systemic and policy changes beyond parents and personal issues. O’Dwyer advocates for improved support services, regular respite care, and better access to mental health resources.
Source: BLOOM Blog – Holland Bloorview
Images: Shutterstock. CanStock
