CITI University, the Ministry of Health and the Mongolian Nurses Association are jointly organising an online international research conference on Nursing and Psychology.
Opening addresses were delivered by CITI University President Ts. Baigalmaa, JICA project Chief Adviser Baba Toshiaki, Dr. Ts. Khulan, Chair of the Ministry of Health’s Nursing Professional Subcouncil, and Mongolian Nurses Association President D. Nyamsuren.
President Ts. Baigalmaa emphasised: ‘Our university contributes to preparing professionals for health care, particularly nursing. We will focus on widening nursing admissions to address workforce shortages, providing long- and short-term training to strengthen practising nurses’ capabilities, and expanding cooperation with the relevant ministry and agencies.’
Beginning with the topic ‘Psychological Issues Faced by Nurses during Coronavirus Infection’, the conference includes CITI University nursing faculty and students, Ministry of Health representatives, the Capital City Health Department, faculty and researchers from the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences’ School of Nursing, representatives of the Academy of Education and Psychology, social psychologists, and nurses and staff from the health departments of Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon, Bayankhongor, Govi-Altai, Uvs and Uvurkhangai provinces, Amgalan Maternity Hospital and the General Hospital for State Special Servants. Participants are discussing the current state of nursing, workforce and staffing challenges, the legal environment and future measures.
Researchers and professionals in nursing from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and Japan are presenting papers and introducing the current conditions in their countries.
Professor Fiona Nolan, Clinical Professor of Mental Health at Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, presented ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Nursing Workforce’. Dr. Sugawara Chikako, a nurse and JICA project specialist responsible for improving postgraduate training for doctors and nurses, presented ‘The Future Development of Nursing in Mongolia without Succumbing to Psychological Distress’.
According to the World Health Organization’s State of the World’s Nursing 2020 report, 27.9 million nurses work globally, representing 60% of the health workforce. Women account for 90% of nurses, while low- and lower-middle-income countries face a shortage of 5.9 million nurses.
The conference warned that, with an estimated 4.9 million current nurses retiring by 2030, the workforce shortfall could reach ten million.
Researchers and professionals stressed that countries should prioritise nursing education, address nurses’ social and psychological concerns, provide comfortable working conditions, and improve pay, benefits and professional recognition.