Behind every recovery, every comforting touch, and every life saved, there is a nurse. Yet in Malaysia today, fewer hands are left to hold, fewer hearts remain in the wards, and more nurses are walking away; not because they have stopped caring, but because caring has become too heavy to bear.
Malaysia is facing a critical shortage of nurses. Hospitals and clinics are struggling to cope as nurses leave for better pay and working conditions abroad or simply burn out. What was once a calling filled with pride is now a profession too often marked by exhaustion and frustration.
Most nurses say working long hours, often extending beyond their shifts to ensure that all their patients are cared for. Understaffed, one nurse will have to cover twice the normal load of patients. These situations not only tire the nurses but also undermine the quality of care for the patients.
As one experienced nurse described, “We give our best, but sometimes even our best doesn’t feel enough.”
Meanwhile, other countries; and notably Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom continue to actively recruit Malaysian nurses with offers of better remuneration, respect, and prospects for career advancement.
The domino effect of this shortage reaches beyond staff. Patients experience longer waits and reduced continuity of care, and health care organisations experience elevated turnover and recruitment issues. Ultimately, this result risks compromising the quality of care that Malaysia strives to uphold.
But all is not lost. With thoughtful and forward-looking action, Malaysia can rebuild a stronger, more sustainable nursing workforce.
First, nurses need clear career paths that allow them to move up without relinquishing clinical practice. A formal “clinical ladder” system, as exists in Australia and Japan, can provide nurses with possibilities for professional advancement based on experience, competencies, and length of service.
Second, flexibility is essential. Offering hybrid positions such as telehealth nursing or rotating shifts could allow nurses to accommodate family needs or pursue education without leaving the profession.
Third, mental health care must be made a priority. Normal counselling, peer support groups, and wellness programs can help nurses keep the emotional toll of their work under control. A nurse who feels cared for is more likely to stay and continue caring for others.
Fourth, leadership development and mentoring can have a real impact. Paring up junior nurses with experienced mentors makes them feel guided, supported, and valued — reducing early-career turnover.
Finally, increased coordination between schools of nursing and hospitals can provide better-prepared students for real practice, helping to ease the traditionally transition gap from the classroom to the ward.
Malaysia’s nurses were at the forefront in pandemics, disasters, and countless sleepless nights. They are the discreet pillar of our health care system. It’s time we return the care they’ve given us by listening, valuing, and investing in them.
Keeping our nurses home is not only about staffing shortages. It’s about honouring the people who heal, comfort, and protect us every single day.
Wong Lee Sia, Ho Sweet Lee and Chee Gek Neo are from the School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
