Tensions Between Doctors and Nurses Escalate Amid South Korean Healthcare Strike

Tensions Rise Between Doctors and Nurses in South Korea

In South Korea, an underlying tension between doctors and nurses has come to the forefront amid a protracted doctors’ strike that has significantly impacted the nation’s healthcare system. Since February, thousands of intern and resident doctors have been on strike, leading to a strain on hospitals and healthcare services.

As a result of the ongoing strike, hospital administrators have increasingly tasked nurses with responsibilities that are typically reserved for doctors. These duties include inserting catheters, conducting blood tests, and even issuing prescriptions. While many nurses have stepped up to fill these gaps, they have done so with reluctance, citing several concerns.

• Compensation: Nurses argue that their pay does not adequately reflect the increased responsibilities they are taking on.
• Lack of Respect: They feel that their professional status is often overshadowed by that of doctors.
• Legal Protections: Nurses have expressed concerns about insufficient legal safeguards in the event of a medical mishap.

In light of these challenges, nurses have been advocating for the passage of a nursing act that would expand their roles and offer enhanced legal protections. However, this proposed legislation has faced staunch opposition from the medical community. Doctors have voiced concerns that the act would exacerbate existing conflicts between the two professions, hinder the training of new doctors, and potentially allow nurses to practice independently without adequate oversight.

Last week marked a significant turning point when the National Assembly approved the nursing act. This legislation not only aims to solidify the scope of practice for nurses but also delineates clear boundaries regarding their responsibilities—an area that has been previously ambiguous.

Following the passage of the nursing act, many nurses expressed optimism about the future of their profession. Ah Rim, a 29-year-old nurse working in the emergency department at a general hospital in Gwangju—located in the southern region of the country—shared her thoughts on the recent developments. “I’m hopeful that working as a nurse will be much better moving forward,” she said. After four years of rigorous nursing education and passing multiple examinations, Ah Rim emphasized that nurses have long been deserving of recognition for their skills and contributions to patient care.