Temporary Personnel Services in Operating Theatre Nursing

Healthcare is one of the largest employment sectors in Germany. Nurses make up the quantitatively largest occupational group. Through economization, privatization and reforms in the billing system of health care facilities, the structures and conditions for care have changed. High quality work must be provided under increased time and financial pressure with fewer and fewer personnel. The additionally increasing demand for health services leads to a work-concentration up to the overloading of the nursing staff. The resulting emigration of nurses amongst others into the temporary employment agencies has consequences for hospitals. This contribution uses a survey to analyze the motivations of those who have decided against a permanent position in the hospital in favour of a position in temporary employment. The vast majority of temporary workers report that their expectations of temporary work have been met, and more than half even report that they would reorientate themselves if there were no temporary employment.