Nursing in the New Normal: What Post-Pandemic Candidates Want from Employers
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped healthcare—and not just for patients. Nurses and frontline healthcare workers bore the brunt of one of the most turbulent times in modern medicine. As Australia moves forward, the expectations, priorities, and dealbreakers for today’s nursing workforce have evolved.
In this “new normal,” flexibility, mental health support, workplace safety, and career development are no longer perks—they’re essentials. Employers who fail to meet these needs risk falling behind in the race to attract and retain quality healthcare professionals.
Nest Recruitment understands these changing dynamics. With a finger on the pulse of nursing workforce trends, we help clinics, hospitals, and aged care providers align with what today’s nurses really want—ensuring placements that benefit both the employer and the professional.
Post-pandemic pressures: A turning point in healthcare staffing
During COVID-19, nurses worked through PPE shortages, critical understaffing, emotional trauma, and overwhelming workloads. The crisis not only exposed long-standing issues in Australia’s healthcare system but also redefined what nurses are willing to accept in a job.
According to recent research from the Australian College of Nursing and state health bodies, key post-pandemic insights include:
- An increase in nurses leaving the profession altogether due to burnout
- A growing preference for flexible working conditions, including casual or agency work
- Higher demand for mental health support services and debriefing processes
- A shift in job satisfaction metrics—from salary alone to include purpose, recognition, and well-being
These trends have prompted a serious rethink in how employers approach recruitment and retention.
What nurses want in 2025 (and beyond)
To attract today’s nursing talent, healthcare employers must deliver on four key priorities:
1. Flexibility and work-life balance
Rigid rosters are a thing of the past. Nurses now seek roles that support personal commitments, prevent burnout, and allow room for rest and recovery. Nest Recruitment places candidates in roles that offer:
- Shift flexibility (e.g., short-term contracts, part-time roles, casual placements)
- Roster input and advanced notice
- Options for local placements to reduce travel time
By working with employers to promote balance, Nest helps reduce attrition and increase job satisfaction.
2. Mental health and emotional well-being
After years of pandemic stress, nurses are more aware than ever of the toll their work takes on mental health. Employers need to show commitment to well-being through:
- Access to counselling or debriefing
- Peer support programs
- Mental health days or leave policies
- Open communication culture around mental health
Nest Recruitment educates clients on best-practice support structures and matches candidates to workplaces that foster healthy team dynamics.
3. Safer, well-managed environments
Workplace safety isn't just about physical risk—it’s also about staffing ratios, leadership, and systems that support quality care delivery. Candidates increasingly ask:
- Will I be properly resourced?
- Are infection control and safety standards enforced?
- Is there respectful management and zero tolerance for bullying?
Nest Recruitment prioritises partnerships with healthcare providers who maintain safe, professional environments—because high standards attract high performers.
4. Growth and development
Nurses want more than a job—they want a career path. Agencies that provide opportunities for ongoing learning, specialisation, and upskilling have a competitive edge. Nest helps candidates:
- Access placements that align with their long-term goals
- Gain experience in new clinical settings (e.g., theatre, community, aged care)
- Connect with providers who offer training support or professional development funding
For employers, showing a commitment to workforce development boosts both loyalty and capability.
Nest Recruitment: Bridging expectations and opportunity
Nest Recruitment’s role goes far beyond simply “filling shifts.” We’re here to build lasting matches between healthcare providers and nurses who share aligned values and mutual goals.
Here’s how we deliver value:
- We engage deeply with candidate motivations and lifestyle preferences
- We vet workplaces to ensure they offer safe, ethical, and supportive environments
- We stay current with healthcare employment trends and coach clients to stay competitive
- We offer flexibility in placements—across locations, shifts, and contract types
By staying ahead of candidate expectations and workforce dynamics, Nest Recruitment gives healthcare providers a strategic edge in a candidate-driven market.
The future of nursing recruitment
As we look toward 2025, one thing is clear: the healthcare employment landscape has fundamentally changed. Nurses are empowered, informed, and unwilling to compromise on their well-being. Employers who adapt to this shift will attract the best—and keep them.
Whether you’re a healthcare organisation needing reliable staff or a nurse seeking meaningful, supportive work, Nest Recruitment is here to help you thrive in the new normal.









