Among the few services in the world that operate 24/7, throughout the year, nursing is one of such services. Nurses are called the hearts of the healthcare system. They apply their specialised knowledge, expertise, and skill to undertake life-saving approaches encompassing altruism, compassion, esteem, competence, and accountability.
Nursing comprises all aspects of patient healthcare in its art and science. But Bangladesh lacks a crucial number of nurses. According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Health Workforce Statistics database, there are only 4.89 nurses per 10,000 population as of February 08, 2022. Besides, Bangladesh has a total of 109,874 medical doctors and 66,973 nursing personnel, whereas there should be at least four nurses for every physician. The country is in dire need of nurses.
Career options in nursing: There are many jobs after BSc in the field of nursing available in both government and private sectors in Bangladesh, such as intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, nursing tutor, staff nurse, nursing supervisor, nursing service administrators, nurse anaesthetist, cardiac nurse, orthopaedic nurse, and so on.
Applicants with a BSc in nursing degree may expect to earn Tk 25,100 on average in Bangladesh, as per salaryexplorer.com. Salary varies from Tk 16,100 to Tk 48,400 depending on several aspects.
Perspectives from nursing students: The rewarding nature of the job with the potential to enjoy stable work opportunities has motivated Fahmida Akhter, a student nurse at Sylhet Nursing College, to follow this professional path. She says, "Achieving a healthy state of being is one of the most important aspects of life, and nursing offers me the unique chance to serve people by caring for them."
Despite the numerous difficulties Fahmida confronts, such as long-shift practice at night, workplace mental violence, staff shortages, lack of security, and rude behaviour of doctors, she strives to overcome them by prioritising sleep schedules, practising healthy habits, and so on, depending on her mood and circumstances.
Male and female nursing personnel participation in Bangladesh is 10 per cent and 90 per cent respectively, according to a WHO enumeration conducted on January 10, 2022. "Although the nursing profession is female-dominated, it is sometimes observed that a male patient refuses to have a catheter placed by a female nurse; then a male nurse can complete the task readily," shares Fahmida. She additionally believes if a male nurse works night shifts as well, the safety of a female nurse can be ensured.
Nurses are no longer confined to the hospital ward. They work for a variety of international organisations, including the WHO, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNICEF, and others. Such kinds of work opportunities are dreamed of by Ismath Ara Jahan, a student nurse at AL-Amin Nursing College. "I wish to do higher studies in nursing abroad so that I can gain access to some of the world's best programmes, tremendous career opportunities, a range of clinical experiences, and fulfill my travel desire."
Views of an NGO nurse: Although the inflow of Rohingya migrants from Myanmar into Bangladesh is a huge concern, it creates employment opportunities for Bangladeshi nurses, particularly newly graduated nursing students. Moreover, job prospects nearly doubled during the Covid-19 pandemic, since around 70 national and international humanitarian organisations like ActionAid Bangladesh, Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and others recruited healthcare personnel to provide health-aid to displaced people.
Mst Jesmin Akter has been a nurse for two years and is currently working in the Rohingya camp at the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Cox's Bazar. She explains, "During these unpalatable Covid-19 days, every nurse is being innovative in delivering maternity care, mental health support, and preventative care." Meanwhile, she tries to make cautious about coronavirus symptoms to her family and relatives.
Viewpoints of nursing professionals: Sraboni Roy, a senior staff nurse (SSN) at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka has spent one and a half years in the Covid-19 isolation and treatment centre. "When I started nursing in 2013, the overview of nursing was not good since family and relatives did not accept it as a suitable job," she recalls. Even they thought nursing was an easy profession that anyone could easily join.
Sraboni had received training in infection prevention and control in this pandemic, allowing her to effectively manage several confirmed and suspected Covid-19 cases. "I motivate my juniors (nurses-to-be) to pursue further education and enhance their depth of knowledge. And, of course, I tell them to try to attend any type of training session that respective hospitals or organisations host," she encourages the young and aspiring workforce.
Another senior staff nurse from Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Khaleda Easmin, talks about the challenges she faces in her nursing career. She remarks, "I am mostly obstructed by having less work freedom and decision-making as well as work overload." Apart from these issues, she is also confronted with a less effective communication system regarding national guidance, less dignity regarding the profession from the public eyes, and a shortage of human resources.
General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nurses Association (BNA) and also a senior staff nurse at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH), Eshrail Ali Sadek authorises robust activities such as curative, preventative, and rehabilitative nursing care amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. "As front-line caregivers, nurses instruct patients about respiratory hygiene, hand sanitation, and physical distance standards. They are even providing psychological support and are currently working relentlessly on the nationwide immunisation programme," he remarks.
Mr Sadek also provides some insight into the Bangladesh government's initiatives aimed at boosting nursing practice. He asserts, "Since several of our nursing officers deceased during the pandemic, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare gave prompt compensatory assistance, granting Tk 3,750,000 which was immediately disbursed by the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM)." Besides, the Momen Foundation contributed Tk 200,000 to the families, and BNA has always extended all-encompassing humanitarian assistance to their lineage.
"At present, the director-general of DGNM, Siddika Akter, is working ceaselessly to improve the quality of nursing services," he continues. One of the outcomes is, for instance, the training that used to be done only in Dhaka is now available throughout the divisions.
In the current world, it is not just the physicians, donning the cape of life and charging the pandemic with no reservations. They are accompanied by the fearless nurses being in equal danger and staying vigilant to save each and every life. Hence, to tip the balance of this fight against the pandemic, one can join forces with the nurses and make the world a better place.
Md Shahanur Talukder is Senior Staff Nurse (SSN) at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH).
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