Unemployment Among Nurses in Jordan
(Summary / Report )
Introduction:
Unemployment among nurses in Jordan has become a serious
national concern over the past decade. Despite the growing need
for healthcare services, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic,
the number of jobless nursing graduates continues to rise. This
situation represents a mismatch between educational output and
labor market demand. Many young nurses, after years of
professional training, face long waiting periods before finding
suitable employment. The issue not only impacts individuals but
also affects the country’s healthcare system, economy, and public
well-being. Understanding the root causes and possible solutions
is essential for sustainable development in Jordan’s health sector.
Main Causes of Nursing Unemployment:
The unemployment of nurses in Jordan is driven by a combination
of educational, economic, and institutional factors.
1. Oversupply of Graduates:
Jordan has more nursing schools and programs than the
healthcare system can absorb. Universities continue to produce
thousands of graduates every year, even though hospitals and
clinics have limited job openings. The imbalance between supply
and demand has created a surplus of qualified nurses who cannot
find work within the country.
, 2. Limited Government Hiring:
The public sector, which employs the majority of nurses in
Jordan, faces strict budgetary limitations. Due to financial
constraints, the Ministry of Health often freezes new positions,
even when hospitals are understaffed. As a result, many qualified
nurses remain unemployed or underemployed, working part-time
or in non-nursing roles.
3. Lack of Workforce Planning:
There is weak coordination between universities, professional
associations, and the Ministry of Health. Without accurate labor
market forecasting, educational institutions continue to enroll
more students than the system can employ. This misalignment
between academic output and national demand contributes to
long-term unemployment among graduates.
4. Gender and Cultural Barriers:
Nursing in Jordan is a female-dominated field, and cultural
traditions sometimes limit women’s ability to work night shifts, in
mixed-gender environments, or in remote areas. Some families
discourage female nurses from relocating far from home, leading
to higher unemployment in certain regions.
5. Migration and Licensing Issues:
Although many Jordanian nurses seek employment abroad, they
face strict licensing and visa processes, especially in Gulf
countries and Europe. These barriers slow down international
placement, keeping many skilled professionals temporarily
unemployed.
Economic and Social Impacts:
The high unemployment rate among nurses has both economic
and social consequences. Economically, it wastes valuable
(Summary / Report )
Introduction:
Unemployment among nurses in Jordan has become a serious
national concern over the past decade. Despite the growing need
for healthcare services, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic,
the number of jobless nursing graduates continues to rise. This
situation represents a mismatch between educational output and
labor market demand. Many young nurses, after years of
professional training, face long waiting periods before finding
suitable employment. The issue not only impacts individuals but
also affects the country’s healthcare system, economy, and public
well-being. Understanding the root causes and possible solutions
is essential for sustainable development in Jordan’s health sector.
Main Causes of Nursing Unemployment:
The unemployment of nurses in Jordan is driven by a combination
of educational, economic, and institutional factors.
1. Oversupply of Graduates:
Jordan has more nursing schools and programs than the
healthcare system can absorb. Universities continue to produce
thousands of graduates every year, even though hospitals and
clinics have limited job openings. The imbalance between supply
and demand has created a surplus of qualified nurses who cannot
find work within the country.
, 2. Limited Government Hiring:
The public sector, which employs the majority of nurses in
Jordan, faces strict budgetary limitations. Due to financial
constraints, the Ministry of Health often freezes new positions,
even when hospitals are understaffed. As a result, many qualified
nurses remain unemployed or underemployed, working part-time
or in non-nursing roles.
3. Lack of Workforce Planning:
There is weak coordination between universities, professional
associations, and the Ministry of Health. Without accurate labor
market forecasting, educational institutions continue to enroll
more students than the system can employ. This misalignment
between academic output and national demand contributes to
long-term unemployment among graduates.
4. Gender and Cultural Barriers:
Nursing in Jordan is a female-dominated field, and cultural
traditions sometimes limit women’s ability to work night shifts, in
mixed-gender environments, or in remote areas. Some families
discourage female nurses from relocating far from home, leading
to higher unemployment in certain regions.
5. Migration and Licensing Issues:
Although many Jordanian nurses seek employment abroad, they
face strict licensing and visa processes, especially in Gulf
countries and Europe. These barriers slow down international
placement, keeping many skilled professionals temporarily
unemployed.
Economic and Social Impacts:
The high unemployment rate among nurses has both economic
and social consequences. Economically, it wastes valuable
