Starting next year, nursing students in Malaysia obtaining a nursing certificate will have to achieve certain points by attending professional development (CPD) on continuous basis.

The requirement was made necessary to ensure that nurses will continue to enhance their knowledge and upgrade their skills. The number of nurses in Malaysia has increased for the past few years and presently, there are about 75,000 registered nurses in both the public and private sector. As such, a proactive measure to ensure the majority of them, if not all, can maintain their competency is imperative.

The development of the nursing practice in the country has gone a long way and began when the British landed in Singapore and Penang in the 19th century. The early local nurses was then trained by expatriates especially those from Europe including sisters, matrons and doctors. Since, the nursing service has gone rapid changes and evolution phases.

During the earlier years, nurses were considered as supporting staff that clean up and feed the patients in the hospital. Nowadays, the delivery system has tremendously changed where it has gone to a level where nurses can provide nursing diagnostic. Particular attention has also been focused on the development of high quality students and nurses.

As of today, there are close to 50 nursing schools and colleges in Malaysia - 19 public nursing schools and 35 private nursing colleges.

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