UNAIR NEWS – Often described as the backbone of healthcare, the nursing profession plays a vital role in ensuring public well-being. Yet thousands of Indonesian nursing graduates still struggle to secure stable employment. According to 2012 data, more than 12,000 nursing graduates remained unemployed. This pressing issue inspired Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), through its Research Center in Advancing Community Healthcare (REACH), to create the Nurse Labour Market (NLM)—a digital platform designed to bridge the employment gap in nursing.
The innovation was introduced by Prof. Ferry Efendi, S.Kep., Ns., M.Sc., Ph.D. during the webinar From Research to Industry: Driving Innovation for Community Well-being – Transforming Ideas into Solutions that Empower Communities, held on Monday (September 29, 2025).
Prof. Efendi emphasized that NLM is more than just a digital tool—it represents a strategic response to global workforce challenges. The platform aims to address employment barriers in nursing, enhance career development, improve workforce planning, and strengthen healthcare systems through the placement of skilled and qualified nursing professionals.
Addressing challenges and potential of Indonesian migrant nurses
Prof. Efendi, who also leads REACH UNAIR, explained that Indonesian nurses face challenges across three phases: pre-migration, migration, and post-migration. These include language barriers, cultural adjustment difficulties, and risks such as deskilling and mental health issues like homesickness.
He also reflected on a cultural mindset that often discourages Indonesians from working abroad, encapsulated in the saying, “Better a storm at home than gold abroad.” “This perspective can be limiting,” he said. “Indonesian nurses have tremendous potential. They are known for their warmth, competence, and ability to represent the nation with pride.”
Building skilled workforce through comprehensive features
The NLM platform offers a range of features designed to support nurses at every stage of their career. For students, it provides online Competency Test Tryouts (UKOM) and MnemoNurse, a memory-enhancement tool for mastering nursing concepts. After graduation, users can browse domestic and international job postings, create digital résumés, and access interview and salary negotiation guides. “We’ve included practical tips and tricks, from writing a standout CV to handling challenging interview questions. Everything is designed to prepare nurses for real-world success,” Prof. Efendi explained.
In addition, NLM features continuing education resources such as internship listings, training programs, and professional certification opportunities. The platform also includes a 24-hour FAQ Job Portal that updates listings in real time and a Job Sharing feature that fosters collaboration among nurses worldwide.
Since its release, the application has been downloaded over 8,000 times across seven countries, including Japan, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom, and has earned an outstanding 4.9 out of 5 rating. “Moving forward, we plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the platform and launch an iOS version to make it even more accessible,” Prof. Efendi added.
With the tagline “Your Partner to Finding a Decent Work in Nursing,” NLM aims to grow into a collective movement that uplifts the dignity and global presence of Indonesian nurses.
Author: Panca Ezza Aisal Saputra
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
