Challenges and policy opportunities in nursing in Saudi Arabia

Alluhidan, Mohammed; Tashkandi, Nabiha; Alblowi, Fahad; Omer, Tagwa; Alghaith, Taghred; Alghodaier, Hussah; Alazemi, Nahar; Tulenko, Kate; Herbst, Christopher H.; Hamza, Mariam M.; Alghamdi, Mohammed G.

doi:10.1186/s12960-020-00535-2

Cited by 101 publications

(112 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…With the rapid growth of the Saudi population and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, the recruitment, retention, training, and performance of nurses has become widely recognized as a critical issue in shaping healthcare delivery [ 3 ]. Currently, Saudi Arabia is experiencing a tremendous nursing shortage [ 4 , 5 ] and has such a heavy reliance on expatriate nurses, which causes unique challenges [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]. From an international context there is also a nursing workforce shortage [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, Saudi Arabia is experiencing a tremendous nursing shortage [ 4 , 5 ] and has such a heavy reliance on expatriate nurses, which causes unique challenges [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]. From an international context there is also a nursing workforce shortage [ 4 , 5 ]. So, as well as prevailing trends influencing the global nursing workforce shortage, there are some unique social and cultural considerations which is the aim of this integrative literature review.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Challenges Facing the Nursing Profession in Saudi Arabia: An Integrative Review

et al. 2021

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There is a paucity of recent literature identifying the issues facing the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this integrative review is to highlight the ongoing challenges facing the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia despite attempts to make a difference and suggests recommendations for the future. Literature published from 2000 to 2020, inclusive, relevant for nursing challenges in Saudi Arabia was accessed and reviewed from multiple sources. In Saudi Arabia, inadequate numbers of Saudi nurses have prompted an increase in recruitment of expatriate nurses. This has created its own issues including, retention, lack of competency in English and Arabic, as well as Arabic cultural aspects, insufficient experience, and a high workload. The result is job dissatisfaction and increased attrition as these nurses prefer to move to more developed countries. For national nurses, the issues are the need to recruit more and retain these nurses. There are a range of cultural factors that contribute to these issues with national nurses. There is a need to improve the image of nursing to recruit more Saudi nurses as well as addressing issues in education and work environment. For expatriate nurses there is a need for a better recruitment processes, a thorough program of education to improve knowledge and skills to equip them to work and stay in Saudi. There is also a need for organizational changes to be made to increase the job satisfaction and retention of nurses generally. Healthcare in Saudi Arabia also needs leaders to efficiently manage the various issues associated with the nursing workforce challenges.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges Facing the Nursing Profession in Saudi Arabia: An Integrative Review

et al. 2021

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“…Providing continuing education for nurses. To augment the supply of nurses, the KSA has previously implemented bridge programs that provide additional training to those with diploma degrees to equip them to become higher degree nurses [19]. Based on input from local experts from the Saudi Health Council and the World Bank regional office, we assumed that 40 % of nurses with diploma degrees could be trained in such bridge programs (see Appendix C for additional details).…”

Section: Simulated Policy Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Projecting health labor market dynamics for a health system in transition: planning for a resilient health workforce in Saudi Arabia

et al. 2021

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Background Health workforce planning is critical for health systems to safeguard the ability to afford, train, recruit, and retain the appropriate number and mix of health workers. This balance is especially important when macroeconomic structures are also reforming. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is moving toward greater diversification, privatization, and resiliency; health sectorreform is a key pillar of this transition. Methods We used the Ministry of Health Yearbook data on the number of workers and health expenditures from 2007 to 2018 and projected health labor market supply and demand of workers through 2030, evaluated the potential shortages and surpluses, and simulated different policy scenarios to identify relevant interventions. We further focused on projections for health workers who are Saudi nationals and health worker demand within the public sector (versus the private sector) to inform national objectives of reducing dependency on foreign workers and better deploying public sector resources. Results We projected the overall health labor market to demand 9.07 physicians and nurses per 1,000 population (356,514) in 2030; the public sector will account for approximately 67% of this overall demand. Compared to a projected supply of 10.16 physicians and nurses per 1,000 population (399,354), we estimated an overall modest surplus of about 42,840 physicians and nurses in 2030. However, only about 17% of these workers are estimated to be Saudi nationals, for whom there will be a demand shortage of 287,895 workers. Among policy scenarios considered, increasing work hours had the largest effect on reducing shortages of Saudi workers, followed by bridge programs for training more nurses. Government resources can also be redirected to supporting more Saudi nurses while still ensuring adequate numbers of physicians to meet service delivery goals in 2030. Conclusion Despite projected overall balance in the labor market for health workers in 2030, without policy interventions, severe gaps in the Saudi workforce will persist and limit progress toward health system resiliency in Saudi Arabia. Both supply- and demand-side policy interventions should be considered, prioritizing those that increase productivity among Saudi health workers, enhance training for nurses, and strategically redeploy financial resources toward employing these workers.

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“…The first main area of action identified in SOWN was investment in the “massive acceleration” of nursing education to address global needs, meet domestic demand, and respond to changing technologies and advancing models of integrated health and social care. Papers that have been published under the Call include a focus on policy opportunities in increasing the profile and impact of nursing in Saudi Arabia, with a strong focus on education [ 3 ]; a study reporting on the need for alignment and contribution of nursing doctoral programmes to achieve the sustainable development goals in Brazil [ 4 ]; an analysis of the experiences of a new cadre of midwives in Bangladesh [ 5 ], a scoping review of effective mentoring of working nurses [ 6 ], and an assessment of the impact of a mLearning application on nurses’ and midwives’ knowledge and skills in Rwanda [ 7 ].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%