The recent survey conducted by the Council of Labor Affairs shows that most of the hospitals in Taiwan are short of nurses, and are having trouble filling the vacant positions.

The research found that the turnover rate is high because the nursing staffs are constantly operating under immense pressure, not to mention the heavy workload and the long hours.

During their shifts, nurses take care of patients by administering injections and medication. When their shifts end, they must remain behind to process paperwork.

The Council of Labor Affairs recently conducted an investigation into the working conditions of nurses at 50 hospitals and medical centers around the island, and found that labor laws are not being upheld in the industry.

Due to the long working hours and lack of vacation days, turnover is extremely high.

According to the National Union of Nurses' Associations, the professional lifespan of low-level nurses has plummeted to around seven years.

Apart from 12-hour shifts, professional risk is also high.

Civic groups say that hospitals often lay off nurses first due to low national health insurance payments, and that patients pay the price.

The union further points out that while medical centers set a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5, the actual ratio is around 1:8. Meanwhile, nurses at hospitals have an even greater workload with lower wages.

As the airline, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries welcome workers with nursing experience, hospitals are constantly training new personnel.

The union hopes that the government can take concrete action to improve the working environment of nurses.