Severe Nursing Shortage in Hungary's Healthcare System Amidst Burnout and Depression
Over 30,000 nursing positions remain unfilled as staffing crisis deepens with increasing reports of burnout and mental health issues among nursing staff.
Hungary's healthcare system is experiencing a significant shortage of nursing staff, with over 30,000 positions vacant, leading to increased workloads and extended hours for existing personnel.
Recent surveys indicate that approximately 70% of nurses report experiencing burnout, and about half are battling depression.
Despite salary increases over recent years, these measures have not attracted younger professionals to the field, with the average age of nurses remaining high.
Previously, Hungarian-speaking nurses from neighboring Romania and Serbia provided some relief, but improved salaries in those countries have curtailed this influx.
Additionally, language barriers have made it difficult to recruit Asian workers into the healthcare sector.
In discussions regarding wage increases in the public healthcare sector, the topic of nurses’ salaries has received less attention compared to that of doctors.
Dr. Tamás Irinyi, President of the Csongrád-Csanád County Territorial Organization of the Hungarian Healthcare Professionals' Chamber (MESZK), noted that while advances have been made from the past practice of hiring nurses at minimum wage, nurses' salaries still lag far behind doctors' earnings.
Historically, nurses' average salaries constituted 47% of doctors’ average earnings; this figure has since fallen to just 30%, placing Hungary among the lowest ratios in the European Union, where the typical range is between 50% to 60%.
The nursing shortage is particularly acute across the country, affecting regions such as Csongrád-Csanád as well.
In the past, cross-border workers from the South-Alföld region mitigated this issue; however, as salaries in neighboring countries have become more competitive, fewer nurses are willing to work across borders.
Language challenges further complicate the employment of foreign healthcare workers.
Moreover, hiring practices have been reported to favor applicants with lower qualifications, allowing employers to save on salary costs.
Dr. Irinyi cites instances where candidates' higher educational credentials were overlooked in favor of lower-paid positions, despite a clear motivation among nurses to pursue further qualifications for increased earnings.
In hospitals, there typically remains at least one qualified nurse scheduled for each shift, but more staff are deemed necessary for adequate patient care.
Nurses work long 12-hour shifts, often extending due to unpaid handover times, which can add an additional half hour or more that is not compensated, despite repeated calls to address this issue.
Notably, only the clinics of the University of Szeged incorporate pre- and post-shift handover times into paid working hours, contrasting with many facilities where such time is classified as "free time." Dr. Irinyi, who has over 15 years of experience as a diploma-holding nurse, highlights that allocated time for due handovers amounts to three years of unpaid work over the span of his career.
The MESZK, traditionally not focused on wage negotiations, has taken on the role of advocating for improved conditions and salaries due to persistently low wages and other pressing issues.
The organization has engaged with the government on several occasions and has organized protests when negotiations did not yield results.
Dr. Irinyi suggests a correlation between the closure of certain rural hospital wards—termed "temporary suspension of operations"—and insufficient nurse staffing levels, often justified instead by shortages of specialist doctors.
The current staffing ratios do not align with professional standards; considerable working hours without adequate rest contribute to declining health among nurses.
Recent data indicates that approximately 70% of nurses report experiencing burnout, and half identify as depressed.
Such mental health issues notably impact their job performance and the quality of patient interactions.
Compounding these challenges, the financial situation within the state healthcare system remains precarious.
Dr. Irinyi points out that payments for inpatient care have remained unchanged for nearly a decade, while costs for energy, medications, and supplies have surged.
This mismatch has forced hospitals to accumulate significant debts, hindering their capacity to invest in equipment or infrastructure corrections.
The MESZK acknowledges the Hungarian Medical Chamber's calls for increased financial support for the healthcare system, advocating for greater attention to overall public health.
Plans are underway for a planned demonstration organized by the Medical Chamber on March 8, which may include participation from nurses, depending on coordination efforts in advance of the event.
Recent surveys indicate that approximately 70% of nurses report experiencing burnout, and about half are battling depression.
Despite salary increases over recent years, these measures have not attracted younger professionals to the field, with the average age of nurses remaining high.
Previously, Hungarian-speaking nurses from neighboring Romania and Serbia provided some relief, but improved salaries in those countries have curtailed this influx.
Additionally, language barriers have made it difficult to recruit Asian workers into the healthcare sector.
In discussions regarding wage increases in the public healthcare sector, the topic of nurses’ salaries has received less attention compared to that of doctors.
Dr. Tamás Irinyi, President of the Csongrád-Csanád County Territorial Organization of the Hungarian Healthcare Professionals' Chamber (MESZK), noted that while advances have been made from the past practice of hiring nurses at minimum wage, nurses' salaries still lag far behind doctors' earnings.
Historically, nurses' average salaries constituted 47% of doctors’ average earnings; this figure has since fallen to just 30%, placing Hungary among the lowest ratios in the European Union, where the typical range is between 50% to 60%.
The nursing shortage is particularly acute across the country, affecting regions such as Csongrád-Csanád as well.
In the past, cross-border workers from the South-Alföld region mitigated this issue; however, as salaries in neighboring countries have become more competitive, fewer nurses are willing to work across borders.
Language challenges further complicate the employment of foreign healthcare workers.
Moreover, hiring practices have been reported to favor applicants with lower qualifications, allowing employers to save on salary costs.
Dr. Irinyi cites instances where candidates' higher educational credentials were overlooked in favor of lower-paid positions, despite a clear motivation among nurses to pursue further qualifications for increased earnings.
In hospitals, there typically remains at least one qualified nurse scheduled for each shift, but more staff are deemed necessary for adequate patient care.
Nurses work long 12-hour shifts, often extending due to unpaid handover times, which can add an additional half hour or more that is not compensated, despite repeated calls to address this issue.
Notably, only the clinics of the University of Szeged incorporate pre- and post-shift handover times into paid working hours, contrasting with many facilities where such time is classified as "free time." Dr. Irinyi, who has over 15 years of experience as a diploma-holding nurse, highlights that allocated time for due handovers amounts to three years of unpaid work over the span of his career.
The MESZK, traditionally not focused on wage negotiations, has taken on the role of advocating for improved conditions and salaries due to persistently low wages and other pressing issues.
The organization has engaged with the government on several occasions and has organized protests when negotiations did not yield results.
Dr. Irinyi suggests a correlation between the closure of certain rural hospital wards—termed "temporary suspension of operations"—and insufficient nurse staffing levels, often justified instead by shortages of specialist doctors.
The current staffing ratios do not align with professional standards; considerable working hours without adequate rest contribute to declining health among nurses.
Recent data indicates that approximately 70% of nurses report experiencing burnout, and half identify as depressed.
Such mental health issues notably impact their job performance and the quality of patient interactions.
Compounding these challenges, the financial situation within the state healthcare system remains precarious.
Dr. Irinyi points out that payments for inpatient care have remained unchanged for nearly a decade, while costs for energy, medications, and supplies have surged.
This mismatch has forced hospitals to accumulate significant debts, hindering their capacity to invest in equipment or infrastructure corrections.
The MESZK acknowledges the Hungarian Medical Chamber's calls for increased financial support for the healthcare system, advocating for greater attention to overall public health.
Plans are underway for a planned demonstration organized by the Medical Chamber on March 8, which may include participation from nurses, depending on coordination efforts in advance of the event.
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