The Fiji Nursing Association (FNA) is hoping Government would address salary anomalies and irregularities in the 2023-2024 National Budget.

FNA believed this would slow the migration rates of nurses overseas.

FNA president Dr Alisi Vudiniabola said the association was making a budget submission which should help the nurses in Fiji.

She said the association was facing challenges in retaining nurses within the country, and it was crucial for the Government to address salary anomalies and irregularities.

“One example is the significant salary difference between a team leader and a manager, which may only be around $57 or $58. Coping with such disparities becomes extremely frustrating, and for many, the only solution is to leave their positions. We urge the government to rectify these inconsistencies,” Dr Alisi said.

“It is disheartening to witness nurses departing for a mere $2,000 difference in pay. This issue is not unique to Fiji, but affects numerous countries where highly qualified nurses have marketable skills.

“Fiji being one of the Pacific countries that provides comprehensive degree-level education in nursing, becomes an easy target for recruitment by developed nations such as New Zealand and Australia.”

She said other countries often exploit the vulnerability of Fiji nurses by recruiting them at their lowest point, without recognition, proper remuneration or the benefits they should enjoy.

“This situation has persisted for several years without any significant change in the government’s approach to address these concerns. We hope Government will prioritise resolving these issues and take effective measures to slow down the exodus of our nurses to developed countries,” she said.

“It is disheartening to lose our most experienced and qualified nurses, including specialists, midwives, and general nurses with expertise in community health. The appeal of better pay draws them away, even if they have years of experience in either hospital or community settings in Fiji.

“Fijian nurses possess the qualifications, experience, and competence to excel in their profession.”

She said regrettably, the Government has chosen to overlook these pressing matters, resulting in a significant loss of nursing professionals.

“It is essential to recognise that intern nurses cannot replace the expertise and experience of those who have been working as surgical nurses or community health nurses for seven or eight years.”

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