3.4. Academic Nursing Schools Benefits
In the past, approximately 70 nursing students graduated annually from the two nursing schools in Macao. Beginning this year, the number of new graduates will be increased to approximately one hundred. These students are all trained in a 4-year academic program leading to a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN). There is a trend that new BSN graduate nurses are in more demand [28]. Hence, each school increased their enrollment of nursing students, which can be credited to the great support provided by the policy of the Macao government. Given the approximate doubling of the number of registered nursing students, the nursing academic faculties have employed individuals with higher education levels. One nursing school recently employed five nursing educators (a 55.6% increase) over the past four years. In addition, more clinical instructors are paid to supervise nursing students during clinical practicum, resulting in a 100% increase in the payment rate.