Workforce research priorities for emergency nurses in Australia.

Background: The current nursing shortage is a critical issue facing healthcare systems. Workforce research priorities foremergency nurses are limited.This study aimed to identify, collate, and prioritise areas of workforce research for emergency nursing in Australia.

Methods: This priority-setting study was conducted with ED nurses from September 2022 to August 2023 and comprised: i) an initial survey, ii) face-to-face group discussions, and iii) a prioritisation survey.

Results: A total of 318 ED nurses responded to the initial survey. Staffing (n = 245), workload (n = 112), access block (n = 63) and burnout (n = 54) were nominated as workforce concerns. Responses were grouped into three overarching categories: person, department, and organisation. These categories informed the face-to-face group discussions. A total of 30 ED nurses participated in one of three face-to-face group discussions. Sub-themes, including resilience, workload, and well-being emerged. From the prioritisation survey completed by 163 ED nurses, the highest-ranked workforce research priorities pertained to turnover and retention.

Conclusions: The research priorities identified reflect important and contemporary workforce issues for emergency nurses. Efforts to progress research in these priority workforce areas should be encouraged and supported.