Developing Professional Nursing in Singapore: A Case for Change

Abstract

A new national action plan is needed to articulate the direction of healthcare in the new millennium and ameliorate the nursing shortage. Without a proper understanding of how labour statistics relate to these deeply entrenched barriers, current short term solutions will only serve to sabotage future efforts. In order to raise nursing professionalism, there is a need to replace top down management with participatory management. This must be done through a redefinition of the nurses role at the ward level through specialisation and autonomous decision making. It must be done at the policy making level by realising the full leadership potential of nurses at the very top of the hierarchy as well as fairer representation at the Board level. It must be done through developing better clinical practice and creating conducive environment for nurses to continue their nursing education.

Keywords: Nursing, Singapore