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Government to sponsor new nursing degree programme for mid-career individuals

SINGAPORE — To encourge mid-career individuals here to take up nursing, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) have introduced a new, fully sponsored degree programme for nursing at the National University of Singapore.

The total nursing intake has risen from 1,500 in 2012 to around 2,000 in 2017 — an increase of about 33 per cent. TODAY file photo

The total nursing intake has risen from 1,500 in 2012 to around 2,000 in 2017 — an increase of about 33 per cent. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — To encourge mid-career individuals here to take up nursing, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) have introduced a new, fully sponsored degree programme for nursing at the National University of Singapore.

“This is in line with one of the strategies under the Healthcare Industry Transformation Map to build a strong local core in healthcare by providing multiple pathways for mid-career Singaporeans to join the sector,” the two agencies said in a press release on Saturday (Feb 3).

The new two-year programme at the National University of Singapore’s Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing) starting in July 2018 is targeted at those with a prior degree qualification in any discipline other than nursing.

The course fees of S$74,500 will be fully sponsored and trainees will also receive training allowances of S$2,170 to S$2,520 per month throughout the two years of training, depending on their years of prior work experience.

Upon graduation, they will also receive a one-time career transition bonus of S$2,000, while employers will receive an on-the-job training incentive of S$18,000 per registered nurse trained in the mid-career degree programme to help their new employees in the transition to nursing.

Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor, who was speaking at the career preview for the programme, said the introduction of the new two-year degree level Professional Conversion Programme for Registered Nurses will make it more attractive for mid-career Singaporeans who have a prior degree in other disciplines to join the nursing profession.

“This is aligned with the Ministry of Health’s effort to build a strong local core of nurses in the healthcare workforce as we face an ageing population and rising incidence of chronic diseases.”

The total nursing intake has also risen, said Dr Khor, from 1,500 in 2012 to around 2,000 in 2017 — an increase of about 33 per cent.

WSG chief executive Tan Choon Shian said that the development of the degree programme with MOH and healthcare industry partners signifies WSG’s support and efforts in expanding and tapping on the various manpower sources available in the labour market.

“This is especially important as we strive to meet growing manpower needs in the growth sectors such as healthcare, and help mid-career Singaporeans take on new job opportunities in these growth sectors.”

Last year, MOH announced that S$24 million will be invested by the Government to get more mid-career Singaporeans to switch to the healthcare sector — part of which would be allocated to the Professional Conversion Programmes for nursing, as well as a new overseas nursing scholarship.

The new degree is in addition to an existing two-year accelerated programme at the diploma level which is conducted by Nanyang Polytechnic and targeted at mid-career Singaporeans with A-level and diploma qualifications.

Since 2003, over 1,000 mid-career professionals have participated in the healthcare Professional Conversion Programmes, of whom around 800 were in Nursing and 200 were in Allied Health Professions.

Applicants for the new degree programme must be Singaporeans or permanent residents. Trainees must be selected by a sponsoring company or MOH Holdings through a selection process coordinated by MOH Holdings.

Participants are required to fulfil a 3-year bond with their sponsoring company upon graduation and conversion to actual employment. Those keen to apply can do so at the WSG website from now till March 2.

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