Korea Assistant Nurses Association, Now a Statutory Body, Calls for Better Treatment and Reform of Education System

Expanding Roles to Strengthen Primary Care and Integrated Services in a Super-Aged Society
Exam Eligibility Should Be Improved Beyond High School Graduates Only

As Korea enters a super-aged society and demand for care and nursing services rises sharply, the association representing assistant nurses has called for improvements in member treatment, working conditions, and eligibility requirements for the assistant nurse licensing exam. With the enactment of the Nursing Act, the association has become an official statutory body and plans to actively voice its opinions on future nursing policies.

Jiyeon Kwak, President of the Korea Assistant Nurses Association. Korea Assistant Nurses Association

Jiyeon Kwak, President of the Korea Assistant Nurses Association, met with reporters on the 16th and stated, "The launch of our statutory organization is not merely a change in name; it means that assistant nurses are now officially recognized by the state as part of the institutional healthcare workforce," adding, "We are now being asked to take on greater responsibility and authority for the health of the public."

Kwak emphasized, "Until now, it was difficult for assistant nurses to even engage in official discussions with the government, but now we can stand as a legitimate party in healthcare policy," and continued, "We will serve as a check to ensure balance in nursing policy and work to reflect the real voices from the field."

The Korea Assistant Nurses Association was established in 1973, but only last month was it elevated to a statutory body after the Nursing Act, which included provisions for the association's establishment, took effect. As a result, the association will now be able to officially participate in bodies such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Nursing Policy Deliberation Committee.

According to the association, there are about 900,000 licensed assistant nurses in Korea, but only 240,000 of them are actually employed.

The association first insisted that the role of assistant nurses in primary care needs to be expanded. Currently, assistant nurses make up about 86% (135,300 people) of the nursing staff in clinic-level medical institutions and are responsible for assisting physicians with chronic disease management and other tasks, improving their skills through various job training programs. However, the association pointed out that they are excluded from the service provider workforce in various primary care pilot projects promoted by the government, which undermines the effectiveness of these projects.

In response, the association proposed that education for assistant nurses should be institutionalized according to primary care-related laws, and that assistant nurses who have completed job training recognized by the Minister of Health and Welfare should be legally allowed to participate in government projects.

In the integrated nursing care service sector, the association called for an increase in the hiring of full-time assistant nurses and the establishment of a wage system that ensures the quality of nursing services. The association explained that, although assistant nurses work as statutory nursing personnel, they face high turnover rates due to a non-regular employment structure, low wages, and heavy workloads.

The association also demanded improvements to the eligibility requirements for the national assistant nurse licensing exam and the introduction of an accreditation system for educational institutions. Currently, eligibility for the national exam is limited to graduates of nursing academies and specialized high schools, which the association argues restricts diverse entry pathways and talent development. The association insisted that exam opportunities should be expanded through various forms of education, such as junior colleges, to secure diversity and expertise in the workforce, while also improving the quality of education through an accreditation system for educational institutions.

Kwak stressed, "Assistant nurses are the closest to the public in the healthcare field and serve as essential nursing personnel, going beyond simple assistance," and added, "Our association will fulfill its mission as a professional healthcare organization that protects public health and life, going beyond merely representing members' interests."