The Philippines has long grappled with a severe nursing shortage, often referred to as the "nursing crunch."
Filipino nurses frequently seek opportunities abroad or switch careers, citing low pay, heavy workloads, and limited growth prospects.
Optum Philippines, the country's largest global in-house capability center, aims to address this problem through innovative, multi-faceted solutions.
The company believes that its Optum Health Education Global (OHEG) platform can support healthcare professionals with the necessary tools to excel, thereby helping to mitigate the nursing shortage.
Growing crisis
The shortage of nurses is a global issue. A 2022 article by Rowalt Alibutud in the Journal of Global Health highlighted a global shortfall of approximately 5.9 million nurses.
In the Philippines, reports indicate that the shortage has reached 127,000 and is projected to double to 250,000 by 2030.
According to Ivic Mueco, Managing Director of Optum Philippines, the nursing crisis is driven by various factors.
In an interview, she explained that beyond low pay and difficult working conditions, the lack of clear career progression is a significant reason for nurses leaving the profession.
“In the Philippines, there isn’t a clear career progression path that will draw a picture of success for talented nurses,” Mueco said.
She emphasized that career growth is often overlooked but is crucial for retaining nurses.
While the government has made efforts to address the shortage—through initiatives like the Clinical Care Associates program and the Philippine Nursing Practice Act of 2022—Mueco stressed that more must be done.
“We’ve learned through nursing forums that the shortage is a complex issue requiring collaboration from multiple stakeholders,” Mueco added.
Interprofessional education: a possible solution?
Optum’s research highlights the importance of supporting continuous education and establishing stronger career paths for clinicians.
Doing so could positively impact their livelihoods and encourage more people to enter or remain in the profession.
Mueco stated that, "Offering clearer and more attractive career paths for nurses in the Philippines can increase the possibility of them staying in the country to pursue opportunities."
The OHEG platform plays a pivotal role in this strategy. It offers free online courses, accessible on any device with internet access, enabling nurses to learn at their own pace.
This flexibility reduces the financial burden of continuing education, which can be costly for an overworked and underpaid nursing workforce.
Empowering nurses
OHEG currently offers 37 courses tailored to Filipino nurses, with plans to expand. These courses cover a broad range of topics, from clinical best practices to specialized fields, ensuring that nurses stay up-to-date with the latest healthcare knowledge and skills.
“By offering free clinical education resources through OHEG, we can help equip nurses to excel in their roles and work more effectively in multidisciplinary teams, improving patient outcomes and job satisfaction,” Mueco said.
While the nursing shortage remains a pressing issue, Mueco is optimistic that platforms like OHEG can contribute to long-term solutions.
Optum is committed to developing upskilling programs and lifelong learning opportunities, working with industry stakeholders to address this challenge.
“To overcome the nursing crunch, we must empower our healthcare professionals with the tools and education they need to grow in their careers,” Mueco concluded.
By investing in education and professional development, Optum aims to improve nurse retention and healthcare services overall, ensuring a sustainable future for the Philippine healthcare industry.
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