The gender pay gap in the Australian nursing workforce: A retrospective observational study

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q2 NURSING

Collegian Pub Date : 2024-12-01 DOI:10.1016/j.colegn.2024.09.002

Gemma Doleman , Christine Duffield , Ian W. Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aim

To explore the gender pay gap among the Australian nursing workforce and identify reasons for such a gap.

Background

Gender discrimination exists in nursing, with men having a higher rate of pay and a faster rate of career progression, irrespective of experience and qualifications. In addition, men are shown to have a greater representation in leadership roles compared to the proportion of men in the profession.

Methods

The study uses a retrospective, observational survey design of graduate nurses from all Australian universities.

Findings

The gender wage gap was around 4% at six months after graduation, increasing to 13% at three years after graduation, favouring nurses who are men. Men also reported being more overqualified than women upon graduation. In addition, graduates who were overqualified had a 21% disparity in pay. Nursing graduates from non-English speaking backgrounds and lower socioeconomic backgrounds had an increased probability of being underemployed.

Conclusions

Overall, nurses who were men are earning a higher wage than women nurses upon graduation and at three years post-graduation in Australia. These findings, despite an enterprise bargaining agreement, are consistent with the gender pay disparity gap in Australia and with international research on this topic. Of note from this study is the notion that men are working unsociable hours and weekends and are, therefore, receiving penalty rates that increase their wages. This notion is also consistent with the current ideology in Australia of men being breadwinners despite changes in gender equality in the country.

Implications for nursing management

Organisations need to offer flexible work environments that will allow women to re-enter the workforce while caring for dependents. This can include shorter shifts allowing women to work flexible hours to care for dependents, job sharing with other nurses of similar skill level and working across multiple areas to allow for flexibility. In addition, healthcare organisations should increase support and promote positive practice environments, including wages in order to sustain and retain the future workforce.

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来源期刊

Collegian NURSING-

CiteScore

2.70

自引率

6.70%

发文量

127

审稿时长

72 days

期刊介绍： Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research is the official journal of Australian College of Nursing (ACN). The journal aims to reflect the broad interests of nurses and the nursing profession, and to challenge nurses on emerging areas of interest. It publishes research articles and scholarly discussion of nursing practice, policy and professional issues. Papers published in the journal are peer reviewed by a double blind process using reviewers who meet high standards of academic and clinical expertise. Invited papers that contribute to nursing knowledge and debate are published at the discretion of the Editor. The journal, online only from 2016, is available to members of ACN and also by separate subscription. ACN believes that each and every nurse in Australia should have the opportunity to grow their career through quality education, and further our profession through representation. ACN is the voice of influence, providing the nursing expertise and experience required when government and key stakeholders are deciding the future of health.