Globalization and changing nursing workforce within the framework of flexibility model

Abstract

Globalization was developed as a response to the capitalism’s great economic crisis in the 1970’s. During this period, the social state implementations were abandoned amid increasing competitive conditions, and flexible employment model shaped through neoliberal policies became dominant in the working life. Healthcare industry, which was not very interesting for the capitalist class up until then became another focal point to yield further profits and the 40 years that passed since became an economic industry. Under the competitive free market order, minimized state intervention, privatization and flexibility applications narrowed the gap between public and private, insecure work, increasing obscurity and duration of in working hours, obscurity in job descriptions, outsourcing, performance-based remuneration changed the work life and working conditions of healthcare employees. Nursing should not be considered apart from the system, outside of these applied policies. Therefore, nurses should be aware of these implemented policies and the effects of globalization.