ABOUT 80 nurses have sought documents in the past three months to work overseas.
This was revealed by Fiji Nursing Association general secretary, Kuini Lutua, who expressed concern about the continuing exodus of nurses.
She said many of those wanting to secure overseas employment were influenced by the recent State polices to cut the retirement age from 60 to 55 and implement the 5 per cent pay cut.
"This is an indication they are looking at moving out but we don't know when they will move," Ms Lutua said.
"This is a huge number because one graduating class is normally 120.
"There will be more nurses preparing their documents to apply for overseas jobs and these are young nurses.
"This is because of the injustice being done in terms of their employment conditions, especially the pay cut."
Mrs Lutua said there was already a significant shortage of nurses in hospitals.
"Our members have been asked to go and help in the hospitals when they have their public health care or community health work," she said.
This has happened in Ba Hospital because nurses have resigned to go abroad.
"That tells us that there is a shortage of nurses." Mrs Lutua said the community health system was overloaded.
"If they have proper information and care taken for preventative care then not many people will have to go to hospitals," she said.
"Our community health system has too much load and needs human resources.
"The reduction in retirement age from 60 to 55 is contributing to this and the proper grooming of nurses to take on leadership position is compromised."
Interim Health Minister Doctor Jona Senilagakali said if nurses wanted to leave it was their choice.
"That's their right and I can't offer the salary that other nations are offering," Dr Senilagakali said.
"We have to look at the economic situation of Fiji and we just can't afford to pay them that kind of money," he said.
"I would be wrong to offer them more if they are offered more overseas."
