site.btaBulgaria Marks Nurses’ Day amid Workforce Concerns

Bulgaria marked the International Day of Nursing on May 12 with official ceremonies, church services, as the nursing profession in Bulgaria is plagued by staff shortages, low wages and aging personnel.

The day, dedicated to the birth of Florence Nightingale - the founder of modern nursing - was observed across the country with events highlighting both gratitude and concern for those working in healthcare.

In the capital Sofia, a special prayer service was held at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, led by Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil, who described nurses and doctors as "workers of God" and emphasized that compassion and humanity are at the heart of successful treatment.

A recent discussion on health care in Bulgaria painted a stark picture of Bulgaria’s nursing workforce. The average age of nurses is now over 50, as the number of professionals continues to decline - from 22,800 in 2025 to 21,830 in early 2026. Around half of all nursing positions in hospitals, schools, and nurseries remain unfilled, with an estimated national shortage of about 17,000 nurses.

At some EUR 1, 350, wages remain only slightly above the national average and professionals report heavy workloads that include night shifts, administrative duties, and employment in multiple hospitals. Experts warn that these conditions, combined with low pay and high responsibility, are making the profession increasingly unattractive to young people.

Despite the challenges, nurses were widely praised for their dedication. In hospitals across the country, including in cities such as Montana and Sliven, outstanding professionals were awarded for their commitment, professionalism, and care for patients. Some institutions also highlighted efforts to attract young staff through training programs, scholarships, and paid internships.

The head of the Military Medical Academy in Sofia, Prof. Dr. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski underlined the essential role of the profession, saying: "Specialists in health care are the heart and soul of a hospital". He also pointed to the long-foreseen shortage of nurses and the need for more decisive measures to make the profession more attractive, warning that hospitals already face critical staffing gaps that threaten the quality of care.