₦airaland Forum

A post by a Nigerian nurse recently caught my attention. She shared how her first salary in 2022 was just ₦21,000. After resigning from that job, she attended interviews at a specialist hospital only to be offered ₦23,000 for 12 hour shifts, a heavy patient workload, and demanding working conditions. She declined the offer and eventually accepted another position that paid modestly but treated her with dignity.

Whether every hospital pays this poorly is another discussion. Some government hospitals and well established private facilities pay significantly far more. However, it is no secret that many private hospitals across Nigeria have been accused of paying nurses wages that barely cover transportation while expecting them to work long hours under intense pressure.

The bigger issue is not just the salary.

Many nurses complain about being overworked, verbally abused, assaulted by patients or their relatives, and threatened with dismissal whenever they speak up. Add poor pay, staff shortages, and the rising cost of living, and it becomes easier to understand why so many Nigerian nurses are leaving the country.

The consequences affect all of us.

When experienced nurses leave, the remaining ones have to care for more patients. Burnout increases. Waiting times become longer. Medical errors become more likely. Eventually, patients also suffer.

No healthcare system can thrive if the people keeping it running are exhausted, underpaid, and undervalued.

Supporting nurses does not mean ignoring the challenges hospitals face. Healthcare facilities also deal with rising operating costs. However, expecting highly trained professionals to shoulder enormous responsibilities for wages that cannot sustain a decent standard of living is not a sustainable solution.

Healthcare workers deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, protection from workplace violence, and opportunities for professional growth. Patients also deserve motivated healthcare professionals who can give their best without constantly worrying about survival.

Nigeria cannot build a stronger healthcare system while treating its frontline workers as disposable.

What do you think? Should there be a minimum wage standard specifically for nurses and other healthcare professionals working in private hospitals?

First to comment. Wow
Happy sunday

It's pathetic that we have enough money in this country to pay workers handsomely. Just imagine the recent revelation by IMF about unbudgeted expenditures of this current administration.
They will always be quick to say that Nigeria is not rich while the money they loot can pay every citizen of 1m per annum
The earlier we all throaway out lives and save this country, the better for our unborn children

Second to comment

Happy Sunday guys

23k

I don't believe it.

Maybe it one of the mushroom nursing schools that is scattered in this so annoying country.

You see Nigerian health sector, doctors, nurses, medical laboratory scientist, pharmacist, radiographers, physiotherapist...they hatred between these sets of medical staff are terrifying. Who will earn higher, and who will head who...

If iam a nurse i will raise some money and travel out, so many hospitals out there are ready to employ nurses, take care of your travel and visa expenses including your dependants.

If I can't raise money to travel out, I will open a medicine store in a busy area and cash out big time.

Dpharmacist:
A post by a Nigerian nurse recently caught my attention. She shared how her first salary in 2022 was just ₦21,000. After resigning from that job, she attended interviews at a specialist hospital only to be offered ₦23,000 for 12 hour shifts, a heavy patient workload, and demanding working conditions. She declined the offer and eventually accepted another position that paid modestly but treated her with dignity.

Whether every hospital pays this poorly is another discussion. Some government hospitals and well established private facilities pay significantly far more. However, it is no secret that many private hospitals across Nigeria have been accused of paying nurses wages that barely cover transportation while expecting them to work long hours under intense pressure.

The bigger issue is not just the salary.

Many nurses complain about being overworked, verbally abused, assaulted by patients or their relatives, and threatened with dismissal whenever they speak up. Add poor pay, staff shortages, and the rising cost of living, and it becomes easier to understand why so many Nigerian nurses are leaving the country.

The consequences affect all of us.

When experienced nurses leave, the remaining ones have to care for more patients. Burnout increases. Waiting times become longer. Medical errors become more likely. Eventually, patients also suffer.

No healthcare system can thrive if the people keeping it running are exhausted, underpaid, and undervalued.

Supporting nurses does not mean ignoring the challenges hospitals face. Healthcare facilities also deal with rising operating costs. However, expecting highly trained professionals to shoulder enormous responsibilities for wages that cannot sustain a decent standard of living is not a sustainable solution.

Healthcare workers deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, protection from workplace violence, and opportunities for professional growth. Patients also deserve motivated healthcare professionals who can give their best without constantly worrying about survival.

Nigeria cannot build a stronger healthcare system while treating its frontline workers as disposable.

What do you think? Should there be a minimum wage standard specifically for nurses and other healthcare professionals working in private hospitals?

No one would dare pay a registered nurse that patry sum. Maybe she’s an Eliza nurse?

Maybe you are talking about quack auxiliary nurses. Abi you dey crazzzz ni? Even POS don dey collet more than that.

Jigawa PHC dey pay well. That time I served in Jigawa, the kind allawee wey doctors and nurses dey chop no small. The ladies also get immunization gigs too. They respect doctors and nurses in Jigawa.

While night nurses earn more than 23k for short time. It's crazy

A prophet has no honour in his town. Let these nurses get the opportunity to travel abroad and see how they are well paid and valued there.

most naija companies don't pay well. Dem don sub-contract everything, how can you pay a married man with family #93,000

Tenses:
23k

I don't believe it.

Maybe it one of the mushroom nursing schools that is scattered in this so annoying country.

While this is not for those who have BNsc. But having just a registered nurse doesn't mean they should be paid such meager amount.

Though there are hospitals that pay well but there are also those who pay such amount.

Most big hospitals and schools are guilty of this exploitation. The Labour unions have to look into this.

The minimum salary a Graduate Nurse (BSN) should receive in Nigeria of today should be:

NGN350,000 starting salary for those working in the private hospital

NGN450,000 starting salary for those in the government hospital


And for Doctors, it should go like this:

NGN800,000 starting for those in private hospitals.

NGN1,500,000 starting for those in government hospitals.

NGN4,500,000 for consultants.


That's if Nigeria truly want quality healthcare

NA PERSON WEY DEY SICK ANYHOW GO WITNESS THAT WITH NURSES.

IVE NEVER BEEN ADMITTED TO ANY HOSPITAL SINCE I WAS BORN.

ONLY NORMAL MALARIA I TREAT WITH TABLET, THATS ALL

Wait... You mean a graduate registered nurse is paid how much?!!

Well, healthcare workers still in Naija know wetin dey keep them here sha.

They need a good association just like docs

I thought everyone in Nigeria was a billionaire as you people online always say whenever you compare Nigerians in Nigeria with Nigerians abroad.

If dem japa na Una go shame dem Dey claim say heaven and earth and riches Dey naija

franchasng:
The minimum salary a Graduate Nurse (BSN) should receive in Nigeria of today should be:

NGN350,000 starting salary for those working in the private hospital

NGN450,000 starting salary for those in the government hospital


And for Doctors, it should go like this:

NGN800,000 starting for those in private hospitals.

NGN1,500,000 starting for those in government hospitals.

NGN4,500,000 for consultants.


That's if Nigeria truly want quality healthcare

what of teachers

Tenses:
23k

I don't believe it.

Maybe it one of the mushroom nursing schools that is scattered in this so annoying country.

I find it hard to believe too.

ogolemati:
what of teachers

As for graduate Teachers (B.Ed), minimum should be:

NGN180,000 starting for those working in the private school.

NGN280,000 for those in government schools.


NCE graduate teachers can be:

NGN150,000 starting salary for those in private schools.


NGN220,000 for those in government schools.

As a Nigerian Nurse strive to travel abroad cos that's where u will be appreciated

Transfer of aggression is Another reason why some of the Nurses molest their patients . verbally, sexually and otherwise...

Steeewpeed post.

No nurse is collecting 23k. Even auxiliary nurses dont collect such.

Not until Nursing Council fight auxiliary nurses, they would continue be treated like slaves.

Auxiliary nurses almost takes job of registered nurses, meanwhile, it's doctors that are training all these quacks, what doctors themselves cannot take, they are forcing it into the throat of nurses, to make the matter worse, nurse already accepted to be under the shadows of doctors for anything they throw at them.


Anybody that wants to dispute, should first go to private hospitals to verify first and also traditional delivery women.

Waterlilly:
most naija companies don't pay well. Dem don sub-contract everything, how can you pay a married man with family #93,000

This your comment, e be like na another thing you de address oh, who paid a married man #93,000?

hian
twelve more characters needed

franchasng:
As for graduate Teachers (B.Ed), minimum should be:

NGN180,000 starting for those working in the private school.

NGN280,000 for those in government schools.


NCE graduate teachers can be:

NGN150,000 starting salary for those in private schools.


NGN220,000 for those in government schools.

agbero chairman has really run this country scam.

My gf study at lascon at alimosho

She still earn 100k per month as a student nurse

AirBere:


Steeewpeed post.

No nurse is collecting 23k. Even auxiliary nurses dont collect such.

.na JOHESU people

Victim mentality