Longer working hours have become a temporary reality for nurses at CWM Hospital as health officials work to manage staffing shortages.

A 12-hour shift system has been introduced to help maintain services, while hundreds of new graduate nurses continue their training.

The arrangement allows nurses to work fewer days each week, giving them time to rest between shifts.

Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Penioni Ravunawa says the move is necessary for now.

“The temporary arrangement is to have a 12-hour shift. Although 12 hours may sound big, but they only work three days a week. And after the 37 hours, they still receive their full pay, even though it’s a 12-hour shift. So, they have enough time to rest, to re-energize, and go back to see their patients,” Ravunawa said.

He says the shortage is due to the time it takes to fully train nurses before they can work independently.

“It’s to do with the number of registered nurses that are currently in the health system. And to train nurses is not easy. It will take three to five years to be able to get nurses to be able to work on their own. So, this is a strategic step that the ministry has taken, and we thank the nursing team, FMA, and also the senior nursing managers for trying to help the ministry to come up with this amicable temporary solution,” Ravunawa emphasized.

The ministry expects the situation to improve once the current batch of graduate nurses complete their internship later this year.

BY: JOELI RAGONELIWA