• Nursing is the largest occupational group in the health sector, approx. 59% of the health professions 
• The global nursing workforce is 27.9 million, of which 19.3 million are professional nurses. 
• Up to 4.7 million nurses worldwide are expecting to retire by 2030 
• The world needs 6 million new nursing jobs by 2030 to meet health targets 
• The world could face a shortage of up to 13 million nurses by 2030 
• The estimates 10.6 million new nurses will be needed to both address the existing nurse shortage and replace the 4.7 million nurses 

Image Credits: WHO 

The increased intentions for leaving the nursing profession continues to rise largely due to insufficient resources, burnout and stress from the workload. The ageing workforce population is also a threat to the stability of nursing, primarily in the American and European regions. With 4.7 million nurses retiring by 2030, and nurses leaving the profession by choice, the gap will be impossible to fill without investments. 

While there is already an increasing number of nursing students since the start of the pandemic, there will still be a three-to-four-year gap before new nurses are ready to enter the workforce – which might leave the healthcare industry and the world exposed to possible new threats.  

More nurses, especially experienced nurses, in the workforce will solve the rising attrition rate. However, in order for that to happen, governments need to invest more specifically in the massive acceleration of nursing education; particularly the faculty, infrastructure, and students. They will also need to invest in creating new jobs to offset projected shortages (with improved capacity to employ and retain graduates) and strengthen nursing leadership to have a role in creating more effective health policies. 

Since 2021, nurses in Singapore receive an increase in salary of up to 14% depending on their seniority and their profession – with adjustments made accordingly.  

Image Credits: WHO 

There are different pathways and specializations for nursing which include clinical, management, education, informatics, and science. Example of nursing pathways, in Singapore, below. 

Image Credits: SingHealth 

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What is a Nurse?

Within the healthcare sector, the nurse is focused on patient care – nurses work closely with doctors, medical professionals and are required to assess patient’s conditions, administer medication and coordinate information and care between doctors, patients and their families. 

Different Types of Nurses in Singapore

In Singapore, there are 2 types of nurses, Registered Nurse (RN), or Enrolled Nurse (EN). As nursing students, the RN and EN undergo different training, require different educational qualifications, and are both registered with the .

Registered Nurse

A Registered Nurse in Singapore can pursue different career tracks, and focus on specialities to develop their nursing skills, with opportunities to develop their interest and specialities. According to the Ministry of Health, the 4 career tracks for a Registered Nurse are: Management Track, Education Track, Clinical Nursing Track, and Nursing Research.

• Management Track: An RN going for this can progress to become a Nurse Manager taking charge of allocating manpower, job evaluation and policy review.

• Education Track: The RN who takes up the education track can choose to work in a healthcare institution as a Nurse Educator, or schools as a Lecturer, focusing on education and imparting skills and knowledge.

• Clinical Nursing Track: A Nurse Clinician works closely with patients to implement appropriate care and treatment plans, to help manage acute or chronic illness. A Nurse Clinician also helps with training other nurses and healthcare staff and can train to become an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).

• Nursing Research: As a Nurse Researcher, the main roles include planning, initiating and facilitating nursing research.

Within the 4 career tracks, the RN can train and advance to become the Director of Nursing within the selected track.

Enrolled Nurse

An Enrolled Nurse (EN) works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, to assist and provide support to the Registered Nurse in providing patient care. An EN can eventually progress to become a Senior Enrolled Nurse, who will be able to take on more nursing responsibilities.

Salary of Nurses in Singapore

A Registered Nurse will receive a higher pay grade than an Enrolled Nurse – it is estimated that the starting salary of an RN with a Diploma average around $2,500 per month, while an RN with a Degree average around $3,500. The average starting salary for an EN is estimated to be around $1,800.

According to the announcement by the in March 2021, nurses in Singapore’s public healthcare sector; for example, public hospitals – will receive an increment of 5% to 14% in their basic salary, from July 2021.

How to Become A Nurse in Singapore

To become a Registered Nurse in Singapore, a Diploma in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) is required. In the Clinical Nursing track, a Nurse Clinician who wish to become an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) must also take up a Master Degree.

To become an Enrolled Nurse, a NITEC in Nursing is required.

Upon graduation from the course, the Registered Nurse and Enrolled Nurse are required to take the Singapore Nursing Board Licensure Exam, before being able to practise nursing in general hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare institutions.

20% Increase in Nurses Numbers Than the Last Year

Nurses are needed not just in hospitals, but in the community – with the ongoing pandemic, an ageing society and the prevalence of chronic diseases.

Many are now considering taking up nursing as a profession, a career switch, while some nurses are upgrading themselves, for better career advancement and development.

Accredited by the Singapore Nursing Board, 51±¬ÁÏ partners with Edinburg Napier University (ENU) to deliver the Bachelor of Science Nursing (Top-up) programme. The 24-month part-time course is fully taught by the ENU faculty, the largest school of Health and Social Care in Scotland.

Upon completion of the programme, students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and practical skills and gain employment in the four career tracks as a: Clinical Nurse Consultant, Nurse Manager, Nurse Educator and Nurse Researcher.

For more information on the course and curriculum, please visit: /bachelor-of-science-nursing-top-up

Nurses work across the entire spectrum of healthcare, from health promotion and disease prevention, to acute and palliative care. At present, the demand for nurse-led care is on the rise, gaining prominence in the healthcare industry with the growing ageing population and the increase in chronic disease burden. It has become increasingly evident that nurses are taking on greater roles and responsibilities, from first responder interventions, to patient and caregiver education, even specialising in the treatment and management of chronic diseases. In recognition of these changing times, new changes have been implemented under the Healthcare 2020 master plan, to aid and transform the delivery of care, to empower nurses to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills they require to advance professionally.

Nurses are at the forefront of being catalysts for change in our healthcare system. Advanced practice nurses (APN) are registered nurses with post-graduate qualifications in nursing, possessing the clinical competency, knowledge and ability to manage and diagnose common and chronic medical conditions. APNs are involved in the development of health practice and policy at both local and national levels. Their role in the healthcare industry far surpasses that of the classical definition of a nurse and their inspiring pursuit for further educational and professional development is pertinent in meeting Singapore’s growing healthcare demands.

As the value and need for qualified healthcare professionals continues to rise, a growing number of nurses have been enrolling in courses to broaden their expertise and remain relevant. The Bachelor of Science (Nursing) programme awarded by the Edinburgh Napier University (United Kingdom) at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (51±¬ÁÏ), School of Nursing, offers the perfect stepping stone towards making a rewarding and life-changing difference in your educational and professional journey.

Designed to suit the working nurse, this part-time top-up programme is accredited by the Singapore Nursing Board and consists of eight modules to be completed over 24 months. With new modules such as Management of Chronic Disease, the programme has been revamped to reflect the dynamic healthcare environment in Singapore, to groom and equip our budding graduates with the experience and skills they require to provide quality primary healthcare to the community. The programme also uses an easy, hassle-free online platform to communicate with instructors, allowing flexibility for working nurses without the expense of loss of contact time. Taught by academics and industry professionals who are experts in their field, the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) programme presents an opportunity for greater professional development and progress. With current statistics indicating that an overwhelming 30,000 more healthcare workers are needed by 2020, there is no better time than now to invest in your future and to inspire change in Singapore’s ever-evolving healthcare industry—exciting times await you.