In recent years, because of substantial restructuring and rapid changes in the medical and nursing environment, the demand for care has increased and nurses have shouldered a heavier workload. To improve the work environment of nurses, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the “Short- and Medium-Term Plan for Nursing Reform” in May 2012 to increase nurses’ salaries and benefits and improve the workplace environment in the hope of retaining and growing the nursing workplace. As of May of this year (2014), the total number of practicing nurses in Taiwan was 144,883, an increase of 8468 since the start of the reforms. By the end of 2013, the total attrition rate for nurses across Taiwan had fallen from 2012’s 13.14% to 11.2%, the lowest since 2010. The total vacancy rate for nurses fell from 7.4% in 2011 to 7.2% in 2012 and 6.3% in 2013. Internationally, 5% is used as a basis for judging labor shortages. This indicates that although initial results are being seen in Taiwan’s nursing shortage, further overall improvement remains necessary. 

Because of the urban-rural gap, the flow of the nursing workforce has varied regionally over the past two years. Comparing vacancy rates in Taipei City (northern Taiwan), Kaohsiung City (southern Taiwan), and Hualien (eastern Taiwan) reveals that Taipei City’s vacancy rate fell from 2012’s 7.2% to 2013’s 6.3% and Kaohsiung City’s vacancy rate fell from 2012’s 6.3% to 2013’s 3.7%. However, Hualien’s vacancy rate grew from 2012’s 10.2% to 2013’s 11.2%. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has noticed the gradual mitigation of the nursing shortages in northern and southern Taiwan. However, the nursing workforce in eastern Taiwan demands attention and treatment. 


To resolve the nursing shortages in rural and remote regions, President Ma held a discussion with nursing groups on April 26, 2013, and subsequently instructed the Ministry of Health and Welfare to develop the “Plan for 200 Elite Nurses for Rural and Remote Regions” as quickly as possible to cultivate nursing students at public expense. This plan will soon be announced. Nursing students on government scholarships will be distributed to rural and remote hospitals upon graduation to engage in clinical care for four years, helping resolve the nursing shortages in eastern Taiwan and other rural and remote regions. 

Nursing shortages have presented problems for a considerable length of time. Plans for nursing reform have already had clear results. Human resource retention and attrition rates have decreased. A nursing personnel training plan will soon be enacted to improve nursing shortages in remote and rural regions, balancing medical resources and maintaining the health, rights, and interests of the residents of remote and rural regions. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will continue to work together with related government departments, hospitals, and nursing groups.