The challenge of hiring nurses in Nepal has grown vastly in recent years. And, it is one of the most pressing issues for the healthcare industry. Despite their significant role in delivering quality healthcare, the recruitment and retention of nurses in Nepal have become an arduous task. We will dive into the challenges of hiring nurses in Nepal and explore potential solutions to address this critical issue.
Inadequate Education and Training Facilities
The scarcity of certified education and training institutions is one of the most significant barriers to employing nurses in Nepal. The country’s small number of nursing institutions and colleges is struggling to meet the growing demand for nursing practitioners. Prospective nurses are unable to obtain a quality education, resulting in a substantial lack of healthcare workers.
Lack of Career Growth and Opportunities
Due to a major absence of career opportunities in Nepal, qualified nurses are seeking better opportunities abroad. This causes a shortage in the local healthcare sector, as attractive wage packages, better working conditions, and possibilities for professional progress are lacking. As a result, nurses believe their career options are limited and seek alternative employment or aim to go abroad.
Low Benefits
Nurses sometimes suffer poor pay and inadequate benefits in comparison to the hard nature of their employment. Qualified individuals are discouraged from pursuing a long-term career option due to a lack of competitive salaries and perks. As a result, the turnover rate rises, making it difficult to retain experienced nurses.
Demanding Working Conditions
Nepal’s healthcare system faces several issues, high patient-to-nurse ratio, scarcity of critical resources, and inadequate medical facilities in remote areas. Nurses are frequently overburdened by their workload, which leads to burnout and decreased job satisfaction. These difficult working conditions add to nurse dissatisfaction and discourage new candidates from entering the field.
Gender Norms and Social Stigma
Nepal has traditionally allocated caring tasks to women, reinforcing the perception that nursing is a female-dominated profession. This gender stereotype hinders men’s involvement in nursing, resulting in a smaller talent pool. Furthermore, cultural stigmas associated with healthcare occupations often dissuade families from supporting their daughters’ dreams of becoming nurses, compounding the shortage.
Potential Solutions for the challenges of hiring nurses in Nepal
Recruiting and retaining skilled nurses is critical to the development and improvement of Nepal’s healthcare industry. To overcome the issues of hiring nurses in Nepal, the following multifaceted strategy is required:
Quality Nursing Education: The government should make investments in expanding and enhancing nursing institutes and colleges to give prospective nurses affordable, high-quality education and training.
Competitive Compensation: To keep qualified nurses and recruit fresh people, healthcare organizations should provide competitive pay and enticing benefit plans.
Improve Working Conditions: It is necessary to make efforts to enhance working conditions, including controlling nurse-to-patient ratios and making sure there are enough resources and facilities.
Promoting Gender Equality: Society should actively fight gender stereotypes and promote nursing as a satisfying and feasible career option for men.
Incentives for Rural Areas: Nurses willing to serve in rural and isolated places where healthcare facilities are scarce may get special incentives, such as debt cancellation or increased perks.
Career Progression Opportunities: For nurses to advance professionally and specialize in various nursing specialties, hospitals, and healthcare organizations should provide clear career routes.
To attract nurses and guarantee a healthy future for citizens, Nepal could improve nursing education, offer competitive pay, enhance working conditions, and promote gender equality. Globally certified training is also one of the ways to provide better nursing education to individuals seeking a nursing career.
