– I think that is very positive, and gives increased motivation, says Cathrine Toremo Johansen. She is a healthcare worker and on Friday she received NOK 100,000 more in annual salary. – Now I just hope that many people will apply for a job with us. Because here you will get many nice colleagues, and a nice group of patients. From 1 November, the mountain municipality north-east of Trøndelag will start the hunt for more employees in the health and care sector. The municipality offers an additional NOK 200,000 for nurses, and NOK 100,000 for health professionals. – We have received many inquiries and register great interest from healthcare personnel all over Norway. So the response and interest has been much greater than we expected, says Røyrvik mayor, Kennet Tømmermo Reitan. Today, the municipality has to hire many health workers to fill up the rotation at the care center in Røyrvik. Photo: Randi Wilsgård / news Great interest Early in October, the mayor went out and enticed with a good salary to come to them. Before a single position has been advertised, more than 30 people have contacted the municipality, asking about both nursery places and jobs for spouses. Today, the municipality has four permanently employed healthcare workers, and six nurses in permanent positions. The negotiation department of the Norwegian Nurses’ Association says that no one has previously received such a high salary supplement. In addition, they believe that the permanently employed nurses in Rørvik are the best paid in Norway, according to the professional magazine Sykepleien. But it is too little to make the rotations go around. – Therefore, we have to hire health workers from staffing agencies, and it is very expensive. We will save a lot of money if we manage to employ our own, says Reitan. Røyrvik can offer a lot of nature and a rich outdoor life in both summer and winter. Photo: news Uses NOK 1.6 million a year Kennet Tømmermo Reitan explains that the municipality pays NOK 1.6 million a year for a hired nurse. For a healthcare worker, this is almost 1.3 million. Now Røyrvik hopes to save NOK 400,000 per man-year by hiring its own employees. – We need around 10 to 12 new employees, and we hope to succeed in that when we now advertise the positions, says the mayor. It attracted great national interest when Røyrvik announced the offer. And it has been controversial. Because Røyrvik municipality is struggling financially, and has ended up on the so-called Robek list. This means that the State Administrator controls the finances of the municipality. This year, Røyrvik municipality is managing a deficit of around NOK 38 million, and NOK 28 million of that will be spent on staffing agencies at the nursing home. Røyrvik mayor Kennet Tømmermo Reitan is surprised by the great interest in working in the municipality. Photo: Eivind Aabakken / news Fears of “stealing” employees In addition, many have been afraid that Røyrvik will “steal” employees from neighboring municipalities such as Namsskogan, Lierne and Grong. – So far we have not received any inquiries from anyone in the neighboring municipalities. Røyrvik municipality has no interest in recruiting critical personnel from our neighbours, emphasizes Reitan. Namsskogan mayor Elisabeth Bjørhusdal also became anxious about losing employees when Røyrvik decided to pay better for nurses and healthcare workers. – Yes, I admit that I became anxious. But we have a good dialogue with Røyrvik, and I feel reassured. I am not afraid of losing people to the neighboring municipality, she says. Happy about increased pay Health professional Johansen in Røyrvik supports the measure. And am excited to see if there will be any new colleagues. – Røyrvik is a nice village to live in. We have many activities, beautiful nature and lots of outdoor activities, she says. Back at the mayor’s office, Kennet Tømmermo Reitan is very optimistic about solving the staffing problems in the health sector. – I really believe that we will get the vacant positions filled. When it comes to housing for new employees, some will become vacant when we end our collaboration with the staffing agencies. Otherwise, we unfortunately have a major shortage of housing, says the mayor. Published 03.11.2024, at 07.51
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Many people want to become health workers in Røyrvik – over 30 are interested – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
