The Victorian government's plan to pay university fees for 10,000 people studying nursing and midwifery has led to fears Tasmania's critical shortage of nurses could get worse as a result of the incentives.
Tim Jacobson from the Health and Community Services Union said Tasmania needs to consider similar measures to ensure people stay close to home.
"Why wouldn't someone looking at a nursing degree look that way now, when in fact the state government could be harnessing that opportunity themselves," he said.
"There's absolutely no doubt that given the circumstances that we have in our nursing workforce specifically, that the government should look at programs like this to ensure that we have a robust health system into the future.
"There's no doubt free education will see people move to Victoria to take up that opportunity. We know it's cheaper to live there, we know that wages are better."
Risk of student exodus, nursing union says
The sentiment was echoed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Tasmanian secretary, Emily Shepherd, who said the incentive may entice Tasmanians to pursue their education elsewhere.
"The biggest risk out of the announcement is really about those considering entering into nursing might consider moving to Victoria to take up the offer," she said.
"It does come with a requirement for a couple of years of service post graduation and that is something we'd be carefully considering and monitoring. It's concerning [as] we are very keen to ensure our graduates stay here in Tasmania."
Ms Shepherd said issues including staff retention and stagnant wages should also be considered as part of any new measures.
"There's no quick fix to this issue and the announcement by the [Victorian] government is an initiative they feel is going to work for them," she said.
"It might be an initiative that could be considered here in Tasmania, but … we need to take a holistic approach to retention and recruitment and the ways we actually support the nursing and midwifery workforce as opposed to just following suit from other states and territories.
"[The initiative] certainly has merit but there are other aspects that need to be considered as well."
In 2017, Tasmanian Health Service (THS) staff travelled to the UK to speak at three employment expos, in a bid to entice nursing staff to Tasmania — but received almost no takers.
Support for Tasmania following suit
Responders on ABC Hobart's Facebook page were generally in agreement that something needs to be done to boost Tasmania's health workforce — particularly in light of Victoria's announcement.
Nyssa Browne wrote if she was interested in pursuing nursing, she would consider moving interstate for the free degree.
"With the cost of living here … there are plenty of benefits with a move. Tasmania needs to step up and do the same," she said.
Sarah Patchett said a mandatory post-graduate work period in exchange for free education might be successful.
"Maybe Tassie could offer free uni if they then stay working in a Tasmanian hospital for about 5 years, to help with recruitment of staff," she said.
Christine Farmer urged the Tasmanian government to take note.
"If the government doesn't do this or participate in a national scheme, Tasmania will not get the medical staff it badly needs. Let's make it easier to create fabulous doctors and nurses," she said.
Nurses have also written open letters to Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff, painting a picture of Tasmania's health sector.
"We are not coping. We are at breaking point and the only reason we stay is for our colleagues and the patients who deserve more," one letter reads.
"I'm a junior nurse on a busy medical ward. I have just completed two double shifts back to back with five hours of sleep, and need to return again in the morning for my next short-staffed shift. This isn't fair for patients.
"To alleviate the staffing pressure we need to be able to competitively recruit with our mainland hospitals, but we cannot offer the same rates of pay, so why would they come!!"
Tasmania not acting yet
While Mr Rockliff said the island state "cannot be left behind by other states", he stopped short of saying his government would mimic Victoria's ambitious plan.
"I'll be interested to see what state and federal governments can do to attract people to the health profession," he said on Monday.
"There is a special attraction to working and living in Tasmania but we will also need to lead … take note of what other states are doing and ensure that we have the required incentives in place that we can continue to build our workforce.
"We cannot be left behind by other states."
