Severe Shortage of Nurses in Nepal: Poor Facilities and Migration Abroad are the Main Reasons

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu:
A severe shortage of nurses is becoming increasingly evident in healthcare institutions across the country. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, around 50,500 nurses are currently employed in Nepal, while the required number exceeds 65,000. This indicates a shortage of nearly 15,000 nurses nationwide.

The Ministry of Health has projected that Nepal will need 81,000 nurses by the year 2030. However, due to the rapidly increasing trend of nurses migrating abroad and the low rate of nurse production, there are growing concerns about meeting this target.

Increasing Trend of Nurse Migration

According to ministry data, from 2002 to March 2025 (B.S. 2059 to 2081 Chaitra), approximately 45,400 nurses received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to go abroad. Although the ministry does not have exact records of how many actually left the country, the Nursing and Social Security Division states that the majority chose to go abroad.

Nepali nurses are attracted to countries like the UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, the USA, and Germany due to better salaries, facilities, and respect for their profession. In these countries, Nepali nurses can earn between NPR 200,000 to 500,000 per month.

Lack of Salary and Security in Nepal

In Nepal, nurses earn only between NPR 15,000 to 70,000. According to the Nepal Nursing Association, there have been complaints that some hospitals have not paid nurses for up to four months. Poor working conditions, lack of respect, and limited career progression have led many nurses to leave the profession altogether.

Educational Changes Impacting Nurse Production

Until now, a two-year "PCL Nursing" course was offered after SEE (Grade 10). The government is now replacing it with a three-year "General Nursing" program, which requires students to pass Grade 12 with at least 50% marks to be eligible.

Experts warn that this decision could further reduce nurse production in the short term. Additionally, the new course requires medical colleges to have at least a 100-bed hospital, which many institutions may find difficult to meet.

Stakeholders Express Concern

Mahesh Bhattarai, Member Secretary of CTEVT, says, “The decision to remove PCL was rushed. These courses are still needed for at least another 10 years.”
Shukla Khanal, Member Secretary of the Nursing Council, adds, “The government should have conducted a proper study before launching the new program. Under current conditions, the General Nursing program may worsen the situation.”
A parliamentary committee has also objected to the implementation of General Nursing without a proper legal framework.

What’s the Way Forward?

Nurses play a critical role in strengthening healthcare services. The government must urgently take the following steps:

• Increase nurse salaries and improve facilities

• Ensure job security

• Develop policies to curb foreign migration

• Make nursing education more accessible

• Conduct thorough research and establish a legal foundation before launching new programs