Allahkaram Akhlaqi, the head of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, pointed out the critical situation of the nursing profession in Iran, stating that the hospitals in this province are facing a shortage of 700 nursing staff. He attributed this crisis to low salaries and the disparity in nurses' wages compared to other professions.
Number of Graduates and Reasons for Decreased Interest
According to Akhlaqi, between 50 to 70 students graduate from the nursing school in Bushehr province each year, but due to economic difficulties and low salaries, the interest in entering the healthcare system and completing the service period among graduates is not favorable. This situation indicates serious challenges in attracting and retaining human resources in the healthcare sector.
Salary Disparities and Their Consequences
The head of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences pointed out the significant salary differences between nurses in healthcare centers and workers in industries such as oil and petrochemicals, adding that in some southern regions of the province, nurses' salaries, including benefits, are less than 40 million tomans per month. Meanwhile, the payments for workers in the oil and petrochemical industries are considerably higher. This situation has made it difficult to attract and retain human resources in healthcare centers.
Mohammad Sharifi-Moghadam, the Secretary-General of the Nurses House, also stated that about 70,000 nurses in Iran have become inactive, and the wave of resignations in this profession continues. He added that the monthly salary of nurses, at the current exchange rate, is effectively 100 dollars. This issue has, in turn, affected the motivation and increased resignations among nurses.
Videos and Comments from Nurses
Recently, a large number of nurses in various cities across Iran shared videos on social media after resigning, stating that due to low income and long working hours, they could not continue in the job they love. Additionally, Luqman Sharifi, a member of the Supreme Council of the Nursing Organization, mentioned earlier in October that a nurse's monthly salary does not even cover the expenses for the first 10 days of the month.
This critical situation in securing healthcare staff could negatively impact the quality of healthcare services in Iran and requires immediate attention and fundamental actions to improve the working conditions of nurses.
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