A New Nursing Classification in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) has released a new classification for the nursing profession. This classification is an update from the previous rank which was about nursing practice area. 

Since 2018, when the healthcare platform was created called "Mumaris Plus", many healthcare professions were classified through the system. 

Previously, we cannot easily recognize those professions because when we submit our documents for exam, we have to follow the steps by filling and collecting the paper and waiting for the process after one month. 

The Saudi vision of 2030 changed all areas in Saudi Arabia, including the quality of healthcare professionals. In 2018, The Ministry of Health launched a new system that classified all healthcare such as physicians, dentists, nurses, midwifes, laboratory technicians, etc. 

Before 2018, we have to submit by manual but today we can easily create our professional accounts through Mumaris plus portal for registration and health license renewal.

The portal has evolved time by time with many improvements to ensure that all healthcare professionals are eligible to practice their knowledge in healthcare settings. 

However, the system minimizes issues related to fake documents and fraud. Thus, the implementation of the policy provides the health centers with better health services. 

The explanation on the previous portal from 2018 to 2023, nursing ranks were classified into three categories: health care assistant, nurse technician and nurse specialist. Those categories had different criteria for professional practice, even though in reality they have similar. 

Furthermore, healthcare assistant category is for candidates who completed a school of nursing or nursing training that similar to senior high school, while nursing technician rank for those with a diploma in nursing. Additionally, nurse specialist for those completed bachelor's degree with nursing experience in a healthcare setting.

The decision about the ranks are based on Saudi Commission verification. In reality, each country has different threats of obtaining the classification rank, especially for Indonesian nurses. In my experience as a nurse in the Kingdom, I have observed various threats among Southeast Asian countries, including nurses from the Philippine and Malaysia. 

The phenomena have created injustice among healthcare professionals. For example, Indonesian nurses with Bachelor of Nursing graduated before 2015 are classified as nurse technicians, while Philippine nurses classified as nurse specialists. The system states that bachelor's degree holders will be directly classified as specialists, but in reality, each country decided differently. 

However, I discovered the reason behind their depiction. Some of the reasons are related to the nursing education system in Indonesia, which was changed to include an additional year of clinical nursing, and the fact that bachelor's degree holders in nursing cannot officially practice without completing the clinical training and obtaining a license. 

The recommendation to our academic institutions and government of Indonesian are provide an explanation through the embassy. In addition, the Ministry of Health of Indonesia should engage or negotiate with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) to resolve the problem. 

Based on the new regulations from SCFHS, additional ranks for nurses are senior specialist and consultant. Both of ranks provide opportunities for nurses who have obtained master's and doctoral degrees. 

The blueprint mentioned the ranks were developed to allow nurses to explore their competencies not only at the bachelor's levels but also master's and doctoral levels. 

The rank of nursing classification recently present into five categories such as health care assistant, nurse technician, specialist, senior specialist and consultant. In order to upgrade their classification, nurses must take an exam that corresponds to their educational background. 

The process aims to improve the nurse's position in healthcare centers and enable them to implement their competencies effectively. 

This opportunity presents a challenge for better career prospects. We have to face the reality of upgrading our capacity in the nursing profession. 

We should not limit our steps toward achieving higher levels. Education is the key, we must invest more in this area, because the future will favor those who continuously strive for self-improvement. 

In conclusion, rank and classification serve as steppingstone towards acknowledging the future of nurse's careers. However, education remains the key. 

Nursing classification may undergo annual change, but the competence gained from a robust education will make a significant difference in achieving our objectives as nurses.