Iran's Ministry of Health announced that 3,000 nurses have left their posts in the country over the past year. Officials said this situation has created a significant financial burden and staff shortage in the health system.
Deputy Health Minister Abbas Ebadi stated that between 21 March 2025 and 21 March 2026, nurses left their posts, resigned, left the country or retired. Ebadi assessed this picture as a result of structural problems in the nursing field.
Thousands of nurses left through various means
According to the figures shared by the ministry, 800 nurses resigned during this period. It was stated that 800 nurses withdrew from their duties and 380 nurses left Iran.
In the same period, 1,600 nurses retired. The ministry emphasized that this turnover has increased the pressure on health services.
A nurse's departure is calculated as a loss of 40 billion riyals
Abbas Ebadi said that every nurse who leaves the country costs Iran 40 billion riyals. He stated that this calculation is based on the training and preparation expenses incurred for nurses.
Ebadi reported that the main problems in the nursing field include staff shortages, resignations, migration, retirement and long unpaid leaves. These problems are straining the continuity of health services.
Lengthening shifts and low wages draw attention
It was reported that the normal working hours for nurses in Iranian hospitals is 7 hours, and salaries range from 12 to 36 million tomans depending on experience and qualifications. Despite this, it was noted that many nurses are forced to work double shifts due to economic conditions.
Nurses state that they receive only 90,000 tomans, less than 2 dollars, for seven hours of overtime. The Nursing Council also stated that the heavy workload, long working hours and low wages are creating despair in the profession.
According to the council's assessment, more than 3,000 nurses try to migrate abroad every year. This trend makes the health personnel crisis in Iran more visible.
