Is Nursing a Good Career in Global? Education, Salary & Global Demand Explained
Explore nursing scope, government jobs, private hospital salaries, and opportunities in Gulf countries, UK, USA, and beyond.
When a patient writhing in pain is admitted to a hospital, the first face they usually see is that of a nurse.
Before a doctor arrives, it is generally the nurse who asks about the illness, records the patient’s name and details, checks blood pressure and temperature, and then takes all this information to the relevant doctor.
In other words, the first stage of treatment begins with the nurse.
Although doctors are often seen as the central figures in the medical world, in reality the role of a nurse in the healthcare system is just as important as that of a doctor.
Nursing is a field whose demand is steadily increasing not only in Pakistan but around the world. Young people in Pakistan can choose this profession to meet global demand and secure good employment for themselves.
A study conducted by the Pakistan Business Council titled “Pakistan’s Nursing Workforce, Export Potential and Challenges” states that in Pakistan there are only five nurses available for every 10,000 people. Each year, only 5,600 nursing graduates are produced in the country. This number is insufficient not only to meet the growing domestic demand but also limits Pakistan’s ability to take advantage of global opportunities.
Nurses Are the Doctor’s Right Hand
Dr. Afrah Malik, who works at a hospital in Islamabad, says that nurses play a key role in the healthcare system and can be called the doctors’ right hand.
She explained that nurses strictly implement all instructions and treatment plans given by doctors and assist them whenever needed.
According to Dr. Afrah, during their shift nurses check a patient’s vital signs at least once or as needed—such as blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, and oxygen levels. If any sign is abnormal, they inform the doctor so that appropriate action can be taken.
Dr. Azhar Farooq, a pediatric consultant in Lahore, also agrees about the importance of nurses.
He says no hospital can function without nurses. Their job is not limited to giving injections or setting up drips; they act as guardians of patients, provide continuous care, recognize warning signs, and serve as a link between the patient and the doctor.
Often, a patient’s life is saved because a nurse notices something in time.
Dr. Azhar says that nursing is not just a profession but a name for service, sacrifice, and humanity.
This raises the question: if nurses are the doctor’s right hand, what skills should they have in the medical field?
Not Doctors, But No Less Important
Dr. Afrah Malik says that nurses working in any hospital department must have expertise in their specific area. For example, in emergency departments or intensive care units (ICUs), nurses must be able to respond quickly. They should be capable of recognizing when a patient’s condition deteriorates and immediately inform the on-duty doctor. If a patient’s heart stops beating, the nursing staff present must recognize the situation and know how to start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Similarly, nurses working in operation theaters assist surgeons. According to Dr. Afrah, they prepare instrument trays and keep count of gauze pads used during surgery so that before stitching the wound, the surgeon can confirm that nothing has been left inside. Dressing wounds is also the responsibility of nurses.
She adds that maintaining a documented record of medications given to patients is also a nurse’s responsibility. Nurses must know the side effects of medications and be skilled in basic medical procedures such as inserting a cannula, placing a urinary catheter, and performing similar tasks.
Dr. Afrah believes that although nurses are not doctors, they are no less important.
But what are the job prospects for someone who becomes a nurse?
Growing Demand at Home and Abroad
Pakistan’s Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said that there is a shortage of 950,000 nurses in the country, while globally there is a demand for 2.5 million nurses.
He stated that only about 6,000 Pakistani nurses are working abroad, compared to 650,000 Indian nurses serving in other countries.
This means that if a Pakistani citizen obtains nursing education, there are immense opportunities to work abroad.
According to the Pakistan Business Council’s research, Gulf countries have the highest proportion of foreign nurses. In Qatar, 99.2% of nurses are from other countries. In the United Arab Emirates, the figure is 98.8%; in Luxembourg, 76.9%; in Switzerland, 27%; in Germany, 16.9%; in Australia, 41.9%; and in the United States, 16.7%.
Thus, nurses have opportunities not only for overseas employment but also for permanent residency. Moreover, global demand for nurses is expected to rise further.
The research notes that in 2023 there were an estimated 29.8 million nurses worldwide, and by 2030 there could be a shortage of 4.1 million nurses.
Can Pakistan meet this growing demand? In response, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that currently the country does not have enough high-quality, well-trained nurses, which limits its ability to meet global demand. He said this is due to the lack of quality educational institutions. He added that efforts are being made to develop a system that produces well-trained nurses capable of meeting international demand.
How to Become a Nurse
Muqaddas Tasneem, a nurse and instructor at the Postgraduate College of Nursing in Lahore, explains that to become a nurse, one must complete a four-year BS Nursing degree, followed by a one-year internship. Those who wish to continue can pursue a master’s degree or even a PhD in the same field. Eligibility for BS Nursing requires intermediate (pre-medical) education with biology, physics, and chemistry.
According to her, candidates apply to relevant institutions after intermediate education, and admissions are merit-based. Seats are given to applicants with the highest marks.
Regarding expenses, she says that fees vary by university, but on average the four-year BS Nursing program costs around 500,000 to 600,000 Pakistani rupees.
Speaking about job opportunities after graduation, she says that the Punjab government offers Grade 16 positions to BS Nursing graduates, with an initial salary of about 50,000 rupees. Salaries in private hospitals vary.
She added that promotions to higher grades depend on the availability of positions. For example, in Punjab there are only eight Grade 20 positions for nurses.
Muqaddas Tasneem says that while there are opportunities for advancement in Pakistan, they are limited; however, global demand in this field is very high.
Aaqib Liaqat, associated with a private hospital in Islamabad, also says there is no shortage of employment in Pakistan’s nursing sector.
It is often assumed that nursing staff consist only of women, but that is not the case. Men can also join the nursing profession.
Aaqib, who is originally from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and lives in Islamabad for work, describes nursing as an “excellent field” with many opportunities for advancement, depending on the individual.
Previously, there were only diploma programs, but now new courses are available. One can pursue a Master’s in Nursing and then specialized courses.
“If you do all this, you can advance based on your experience,” he says.
According to him, both public and private sectors offer good packages for nurses.
Even within Pakistan, one can earn a good livelihood in this profession.
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