Nurse Shortage: Mass Exodus Abroad

The shortage of nurses in the National Health System (ΕΣΥ) is developing into a crisis. Deficiencies in public hospitals exceed 15,000, while approximately 250 nurses leave Greece each year.

Interest in university nursing departments is decreasing. This year, only 75% of available positions were filled, according to Dimitris Skoutelis, president of the Greek Nurses Association (ΕΝΕ).

Low wages and difficult working conditions drive many nurses abroad. In Cyprus, a newly appointed nurse receives €1,700 per month, while in Greece, earnings do not exceed €850.

Greece ranks last among OECD countries with a ratio of 4 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to an average ratio of 8.

D. Skoutelis suggests incentives, such as including nurses in hazardous and unhealthy occupations, to address the problem.