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Singapore appeals to foreign nurses but lack of residency options a drawback
- Singapore is offering more pay to replace nurses that left during the pandemic but retention is an issue given difficulties of settling down in the city state
- Foreign nurses cite Singapore’s tough process towards long-term residency as a push factor
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Amid growing global demand for foreign nurses, Singapore has a competitive edge owing to its proximity to source countries and relatively painless application process, according to healthcare workers and experts.
Singapore is also attempting to replace nurses lost to other nations during the Covid-19 pandemic – including by dangling bigger pay packets – but retention is an issue, with some saying they were eyeing moves abroad due to difficulties settling down here.
According to the Singapore Nursing Board, foreign-trained nurses who wish to work in Singapore must sit for a licensure examination and undergo a competency assessment.
This is unlike other countries such as the United States or Britain, where foreigners seeking employment may also need to take extra steps such as an English language test.
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The cost of each test typically ranges between US$180 to US$325, depending on where they sit for it, which may deter some from applying to such countries.
“Nurses have many more options today than they had previously because the pandemic has compelled everyone to basically prioritise nurses,” said Associate Professor Jeremy Lim from the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
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He said being close to their family while working overseas was another important consideration for foreign nurses.
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