Nurses are the backbone of healthcare systems, providing essential care and emotional support to patients and families. Yet, in recent years, the profession has faced a troubling trend: an increasing number of nurses are leaving the field. This exodus poses serious challenges for healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in countries like Singapore, where the demand for healthcare professionals is on the rise.
What’s driving the wave of resignations and what can be done to address it?
Burnout in the Profession of Nursing
One of the leading causes of nurses leaving their roles is burnout. Nursing is a physically demanding job, often involving long hours, irregular shifts and high-pressure situations. The pandemic further exacerbated these challenges, with many nurses working overtime to manage patient loads.
Apart from affecting mental and physical health, burnout reduces job satisfaction. When they are underappreciated or otherwise unsupported, there is also a higher chance of such nurses leaving the profession.
Inadequate Career Growth Opportunities
Despite the critical role nurses play in healthcare, many feel their career progression is limited. For diploma-trained nurses, the lack of opportunities to gain advanced qualifications can lead to stagnation. This is particularly frustrating for those who aspire to take on leadership roles or specialise in specific areas of care.
Advanced degrees like the King’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) programme can open doors to a wide range of career options, from clinical specialisation to management and education. Yet, the absence of accessible pathways to such qualifications may be one of the reasons why good nurses would look elsewhere for better opportunities.
Work-Life Balance Struggles
The biggest challenge for nurses is to balance work and personal commitments. With long hours of shift work and sometimes unpredictable schedules, it leaves very little time for professional development. For many nurses, attending physical classes seems impossible after a day and night of shift work or a late-night shift. All these rigidities have prevented them from investing in their education and kept them stuck in the same role when they want to go up the ladder and do more for their patients.
The King’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) programme is designed with these challenges in mind. Its two-year, part-time structure and blended learning format serve as a practical solution. In this way, combining face-to-face sessions with online classes means that nurses can study in their own time and accommodate education seamlessly within their work routines. Such flexibility offers the opportunity for nurses to upgrade their qualifications without career sacrifice or personal compromise.
Elevating Nursing Careers with a Globally Recognised Degree
Choosing the right programme is vital for nurses who want to take their careers to the next level. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) programme at Ngee Ann Academy stands out for its unique benefits.
Firstly, the degree is awarded and the programme is taught by King’s College London, a world-renowned institution ranked No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 globally for nursing according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. This globally recognised credential not only raises professional credibility but also opens wider career prospects locally and globally.
The programme also allows students to choose specialised areas like geriatric care, palliative and end-of-life care, leadership and governance, or team-based health care practice. These modules allow nurses to personalise their learning to align their career interests, thus adding value to their job immediately.
Further adding to the learning experience are experienced faculty members who are international researchers and practitioners in their fields. Their expertise guarantees students updated insights and practical knowledge which can be applied directly into clinical settings.
If you’re ready to advance your career while maintaining work-life balance, consider the Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) programme offered by the prestigious King’s College London at Ngee Ann Academy. With flexible blended learning and world-class education, this programme is designed for working professionals who want to gain advanced expertise without interrupting their careers. Contact Ngee Ann Academy’s Admissions Team today to learn about the enrolment criteria.