Despite having a considerable number of trained professionals, the demand for nursing services continues to outpace supply, especially in certain regions and specialized fields.
A Widespread Shortage Across the Country
Like many other nations, the Netherlands faces an ongoing and increasing shortage of nurses.
This shortage affects a wide range of healthcare facilities and spans all types of nursing roles, from general care to specialized medical services.
The Potential of “Hidden Resources”
Interestingly, while the shortage is acute, there is also an underutilized pool of trained nurses — often referred to as “hidden reserves.”
These are professionals who hold nursing qualifications but are not currently working in the healthcare sector.
Many have shifted to different industries or paused their careers due to personal commitments.
Mobilizing this group could offer a partial solution to staffing crises.
Regional Disparities in Nurse Availability
The shortage of nurses is not uniform across the country.
Urbanized, densely populated areas often experience the most severe shortages, with fewer active nurses relative to the population size.
These regions also tend to have higher numbers of hidden reserves, suggesting potential strategies to attract trained personnel to re-enter the workforce.
Critical Shortages in Specialized Fields
The situation is particularly grave in specialized nursing areas.
Fields such as intensive care, oncology, and geriatric care are seeing the greatest gaps between demand and available staff.
This lack of specialized nurses threatens to impact the quality of care in these critical settings.
Demographic Pressure & Aging Population
Several factors are fueling the rising demand for nurses in the Netherlands.
The aging population increases the need for long-term care, while the general decline in the supply of Dutch nurses is not keeping pace with rising demand.
With more healthcare staff retiring, the country must compensate by attracting new talent, both domestic and foreign.
Consequences for Patient Care
The nursing shortage already has serious implications for patient care.
Longer wait times, increased workloads for remaining nurses, and potential declines in the overall quality of healthcare have become growing concerns.
If not addressed, the issue could significantly strain the Dutch healthcare system.
To help mitigate the impact of the current nurse shortage, re-engaging hidden reserves and expanding efforts to train specialists,
ensuring a stable and skilled nursing workforce is critical to maintaining the high standard of healthcare that the Netherlands is known for.