Nurse

Nurse

Nursing is a healthcare profession dedicated to promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities from birth to end of life.

Nurses operate within a diverse range of specialties, functioning both autonomously and collaboratively as part of a team to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care. Nursing Science encompasses a body of knowledge derived from the contributions of nursing scientists, disseminated through peer-reviewed scholarly journals, and grounded in evidence-based practice.

The nursing profession presents a wide array of career opportunities in education, clinical practice, research, and management. Nurses may aspire to roles such as clinical specialists, nursing directors, or university professors. Seasoned professionals may establish their own practices, and there are prospects for international career advancement.

In Malaysia, a three-year Diploma in Nursing typically costs around RM60,000 for students, comprising course fees, hostel accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses. The demand for qualified nurses, both domestically and abroad, is substantial, offering competitive remuneration.

To be registered with the Nursing Board (NB), aspiring nurses must meet certain criteria, including obtaining minimum academic qualifications, passing the NB examination, completing practical training at a hospital, and demonstrating aptitude and interpersonal skills.

Students attending nursing colleges often receive sponsorship from hospitals and may be bonded for a period of 5 to 7 years. Alternatively, students can secure loans from PTPTN at a nominal interest rate. The monthly repayment upon graduation is approximately RM350 for a loan of RM50,000, whereas entry-level registered nurses typically earn around RM2,300 per month.

Beyond nursing, allied health programs such as Pharmacy, Medical Lab Technology, Physiotherapy, Environmental Health, and Radiography offer promising career prospects upon completion of studies.

Established in 1961 at Assunta Hospital, Tun Tan Cheng Lock College of Nursing was the first private nursing school in Malaysia. In 1991, Puteri Nursing College pioneered the implementation of diploma nursing programs under the Health Ministry, subsequently followed by other Malaysian nursing colleges.

MasterSkill College of Nursing stands as the largest nursing college in Malaysia, admitting approximately 1,000 nursing students annually.

The Malaysian Health Ministry currently accepts foreign nurses from seven countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Albania, allowing qualified nurses from these nations to work in Malaysia.