TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Nursing school enrollment rates are declining in Taiwan due to intense hours and high-pressure work environments. According to reports, this is causing many to think twice before signing up.
In addition, the low acceptance rates of nursing schools also exacerbate the problem. For instance, the College of Nursing at Taipei Medical University typically receives up to 200 applications yearly and only admits 20% to 30% of applicants.
Furthermore, internships have been cut short following the COVID-19 outbreak, leading to a stricter transition period for students entering the workforce.
National Taiwan University Hospital Nursing Department Director Hu Wen-yu remarked, "Due to a reduction in internship hours, new colleagues may not have sufficient familiarity with the actual operation of the workplace."
"As a result, turnover rates may be high during the trial period," she said. Despite working long hours under high pressure, nurses in Taiwan are only sometimes fairly compensated for their efforts.
In 2019, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) reported that nurses earned an average of NT＄48,000 monthly. However, this figure has since declined to NT＄46,752 in 2021.
"Low wages often contribute significantly to high turnover rates among new nurses in many big hospitals, a common phenomenon in the healthcare industry," Taiwan Union of Nurses Association Vice Director Lin Shou-ju revealed.
Experts have since called for systematic change to ensure nurses have compensated appropriately. Adjusting wages could increase the number of nursing applicants, potentially resulting in shorter working hours for nurses.
The need for more nurses in Taiwan is becoming increasingly urgent as the country heads toward a super-aged society.
Addressing this issue sooner rather than later is crucial.
