TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan nursing workforce crisis has intensified since the Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine issued a warning in February. Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW, 衛福部) data reveal that over 300,000 licensed nurses, only about 190,000, actively work in clinical settings.
This alarming statistic indicates nearly 40% of qualified nurses have left bedside care, highlighting the severe shortage affecting hospitals nationwide. Confronting this crisis, Shinkong Hospital (新光醫院) Vice President Hung Tzu-jen (洪子仁) noted the facility has boosted shift nurse salaries by almost 18% over the past two years.
Still, Kao Jo-hsiang (高若想), secretary-general of the Taiwan Federation of Medical Unions (台灣醫療工會聯合會), criticized hospitals' reliance on non-base salary adjustments like bonuses. She argued these temporary incentives lack long-term security amid declining health insurance revenue and warned that bonuses could be reduced if health insurance financial arrangements falter.
During a municipal inquiry, Taipei City Hospital (北市聯醫) President Wang Chih-hung (王智弘) stressed the necessity for comprehensive improvements in workplace conditions and compensation. He acknowledged such changes might create market disruption but deemed them essential to attract new healthcare workers.
Working conditions significantly impact workforce retention. Taiwan Nurses and Healthcare Workers Union (台灣護師醫療產業工會) consultant Chen Yu-feng (陳玉鳳) explained that dense shift scheduling leads to overwork. She noted that the current norm of one nurse caring for three patients increases the burden and pressure, potentially causing mental health issues while compromising care quality.
Kao reported that the union has requested the MHW establish specific nurse-patient ratios for specialized units, including emergency rooms, intensive care units, and surgical departments. However, she indicated authorities have yet to respond to these recommendations.
Addressing the shortage, the MHW has implemented a 12-item strategic plan for 2025, allocating NT$25.7 billion (approximately US$852.7 million) over four years. The initiative aims to establish reasonable care standards, strengthen workforce recruitment, and develop AI-assisted systems. Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) confirmed efforts to legislate nurse-to-patient ratios for three-shift wards to address global competition for nursing talent.
The competition for nurses now extends internationally. Countries like Singapore and the United States actively recruit Taiwanese nurses with streamlined visa processes and competitive salaries. Experts suggest that cultural and institutional reforms are necessary to restore professional dignity and stability, ensuring long-term retention of nursing staff. ◼