In a bid to retain and encourage nurses to build a lifelong career in nursing, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be introducing a long-term retention scheme for nurses working in the public healthcare system starting in September 2024.
The Award for Nurses’ Grace, Excellence, and Loyalty (ANGEL) scheme aims to attract and retain talented nursing professionals by providing them with substantial payouts over the course of their career.
Announced by Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung at an event at the National University Hospital, the ANGEL scheme will benefit approximately 29,000 nurses working in public healthcare institutions (PHIs). Newly recruited nurses and those aged below 46 years old will receive payouts every four to six years, ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
Foreign nurses who have been in continuous service for at least four years and demonstrate their commitment to Singapore’s public healthcare system will also be eligible for the scheme.
In-service nurses aged 46 years and above who do not have sufficient career runway to reach the regular milestones before retirement age will receive a one-off recognition payout of $5,000 to $15,000, depending on their years of service.
Subsequently, their payouts will be on an accelerated schedule, with a maximum payout of up to $100,000 or when they reach the prevailing retirement age, whichever is sooner.
Publicly funded Community Care Organisations (CCOs) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) funded Social Service Agencies (SSAs) will also have the opportunity to participate in the ANGEL scheme, with MOH, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), and MSF engaging operators on their involvement.
The introduction of the ANGEL scheme is aimed at encouraging nurses to stay and continue contributing to the public healthcare system, as well as attracting more individuals to pursue nursing as a career. With almost 24,000 nurses from PHIs and approximately 5,000 nurses from publicly funded CCOs or SSAs potentially benefiting from the scheme, the ANGEL initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the nursing workforce in Singapore.
“As our population ages, the demand for healthcare services and manpower will continue to increase”, MOH said in its press release on Feb 20.
MOH said it remains committed to building up the nursing workforce by enhancing the attractiveness of the nursing profession, expanding local training pipelines for both fresh graduates and mid-career entrants, and recruiting foreign nurses to complement the local core.
In addition to the ANGEL scheme, MOH has implemented various other measures to support and retain healthcare workers, including career development opportunities and ensuring a conducive work environment for all healthcare professionals.
“Beyond renumeration and awards, we have put in place other attraction and retention measures for healthcare workers in general, such as supporting mid-career entrants, providing career development and progression, and ensuring a conducive work environment through the prevention of abuse and harassment of healthcare workers” MOH added.
Illustration : Here is the payment schedule for ANGEL payouts for nurses who are currently employed and under 46 years old, as well as new nurses who join a public healthcare institution prior to September 2024.
- Year 2028: Nurses with 4 years on ANGEL receive a payout of $20,000
- Year 2033: Nurses with 9 years on ANGEL receive a payout of $25,000
- Year 2039: Nurses with 15 years on ANGEL receive a payout of $30,000
- Year 2044: Nurses with 20 years on ANGEL receive a final payout of $25,000
- Total payout over 20 years is $100,000
Ong Ye Kung in his speech at the National University Hospital’s LUVing nurses forum on Feb 20, 2024.
I am sure many other healthcare professionals who are not nurses will be asking ‘What about me?’. We will not forget you. We set up the ANGEL scheme because nursing is the largest healthcare profession in our system, and competition for nursing recruitment has become more intense. Please be assured that if you are not a nurse, we will review the competitiveness of all the professions within healthcare, and make the necessary adjustments to the remuneration package wherever necessary.
“We want to support our nurses to do a good job. We see this especially during Nurses’ Day, where everyone in the healthcare sector comes together to celebrate and recognise the achievements of nurses. The management will sing and dance and for a day, laugh heartily at themselves. This is what a family does for each other”.
“Nursing is no easy job as it is a commitment to care for others in their most vulnerable moments. So, thank you for choosing to make a difference in the lives of others”.
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