Nursing Job Market Remains Wide Open, Graduates Quickly Absorbed by Industry

Job opportunities for Indonesian nurses remain wide open, both domestically and abroad. Universitas Binawan noted that 93 percent of its alumni secured employment within less than six months of graduating. Some have pursued careers in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Japan, and Austria.

This data was shared during the university’s 13th Graduation and Oath-taking Ceremony for 318 graduates in Jakarta. More than 200 of the graduates came from the International Nursing Undergraduate Programme and the Nursing Profession Programme.

Universitas Binawan’s Vice Rector for Governance, Resources, and Strategic Partnerships, Farouk Abdullah Alwyni, stated that the high employment rate is due to the university’s efforts to align its curriculum with the needs of the job market. ‘Universitas Binawan remains committed to providing education that is relevant to the needs of industry and society, so that graduates are well-equipped to face future challenges,’ Farouk said.

In addition to the high employment rate, 67 percent of the graduates achieved cum laude honours. Farouk noted that graduation is not merely the end of a study period, but the beginning of graduates’ service to society. He expressed hope that graduates would not only possess academic competence but also integrity, sensitivity to social issues, mastery of scientific and technological developments, and the ability to contribute to the advancement of the health sector.

Acting Rector of Universitas Binawan, Prof Henny Suzana Mediani, said changes in the world of work require graduates to continuously improve their competence and adapt to the times. ‘We hope graduates will become individuals who are adaptive, professional, and committed to lifelong learning to face the increasingly rapid changes in the world,’ she said.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, Cris Kuntadi, stated that technological transformation, digitalisation, and global economic dynamics have altered the needs of the job market. Therefore, university graduates are required to possess critical thinking skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuously developing their competencies. ‘The ability to adapt, think critically, and continuously develop competence is key to building a successful career and contributing to the nation,’ Cris said.

A representative from the Higher Education Service Institute Region III, Aprie Wellandira Surhadi, assessed that higher education institutions play a strategic role in producing graduates who are not only academically excellent but also possess character, creativity, and the ability to adapt to the needs of society and the job market.

Secretary of the Jakarta Regional Board of the Indonesian National Nurses Association, Maryanto, reminded health sector graduates to always uphold professional ethics when providing services to the community. ‘The health profession is not only about competence, but also about integrity, empathy, and responsibility. Maintain the public’s trust by providing professional and ethical services,’ he said.

The high absorption rate of graduates indicates that the demand for nurses continues to rise. In addition to meeting domestic healthcare service needs, Indonesian nursing graduates also have increasing opportunities to pursue careers in the international job market.