There were more than four million registered nurses in China as of the end of last year, or three nurses per 1,000 people, according to the National Health Commission. Those numbers still trail developed nations when looking at human resources indices on nurses, said Jiao Yahui, an official with the commission.
By next year, China looks to boost its nursing ranks to more than 4.45 million. Veteran nurses are being encouraged to work part-time at community-based clinics to expand the profession’s reach among the population. China is also testing a so-called “internet plus nursing program,” which would allow patients who are immobile to receive nursing services through the internet with live nurses following up with home visits.