Survey: Should nurses from other countries be recruited to aid in the nursing shortag

suzanne4, RN · Jun 17, 2004

No, I don't think we should recruit them, especially nurses from countries who already have a shortage (South Africa).

And what about the countries that don't have a shortage?

suzanne4, RN · Jun 17, 2004

you can say "no" anytime but check your facts before you become so paranoid of foreign nurses. foreign nurses coming to america are on immigrant visa. which means they have the same equal rights as that of the americans except the right to vote. . therefore they are being paid according to what your labor laws stipulate. they have the voice to complain because they are legal residents unlike those who enter the us illegally. if you think these nurses working overtime, it is not they are forced but it is their willingness to take the job/shift when others are just thinking of a quiet evening ahead. now, you say who will take that shift? it's the foreign nurses!

bravo! :balloons: :balloons:

and i am an american nurse who has always loved working with foreign nurses. if you open your eyes, you may even learn something from them. :)

lifeisbeautiful · Jun 17, 2004

They have the voice to complain because they are legal residents unlike those who enter the US illegally. overtime, it is not they are forced but it Now, you say who will take that shift? It's the foreign nurses!

Yes, they have the voice to complain, so I wish ALL would use it!:rotfl: !! I see many foreign nurses doing things or keeping quiet because they don't want to look "difficult", when they are mearly standing up for their rights. It is a control issue that the hospital has on them. I think it is very unfair for them to feel scared to stand up for themselves (like taking a shift because they don't want to say "no" and have to deal with a cold shoulder from a manager ). I see many foreign nurses skipping breaks and lunch because they "want to get all of their work completed before they go home". My response "If you have to skip your breaks and lunch to complete all of your work, they are giving you to much work" Nobody should have to skip breaks and lunches, ever! I just hate watching people get used.

NurseDiva04 · Jun 17, 2004

I have to agree with Darlene. I have been accepted to a 12 month BSN program but no money to fund it!

I don't have a problem with foreign nurses coming here to work. But I do feel that the funding used to recruit them should be invested in american citizens that would like the opportunity to go to nursing school but can't afford to.

fergus51 · Jun 17, 2004

Yes, they have the voice to complain, so I wish ALL would use it!:rotfl: !! I see many foreign nurses doing things or keeping quiet because they don't want to look "difficult", when they are mearly standing up for their rights. It is a control issue that the hospital has on them. I think it is very unfair for them to feel scared to stand up for themselves (like taking a shift because they don't want to say "no" and have to deal with a cold shoulder from a manager ). I see many foreign nurses skipping breaks and lunch because they "want to get all of their work completed before they go home". My response "If you have to skip your breaks and lunch to complete all of your work, they are giving you to much work" Nobody should have to skip breaks and lunches, ever! I just hate watching people get used.

I see the same thing from American nurses. The martyr syndrome is alive and well in nursing.

Rep · Jun 18, 2004

Yes, they have the voice to complain, so I wish ALL would use it!:rotfl: !! .

Yes, I wish all American nurses can complain, then this thread regarding foreign recruitment of nurses for American hospitals would have never been started. You know why? Because hospital employers would be hiring American nurses, paying them higher salaries, no overtime, "good working condition" and maybe no night shifts to think of. One wrong move on the part of the employers will bring the whole army of American nurses on the warpath. No more hiring of "cheap foreign labor" and everybody is happy.

As of the meantime, none of this thing is happening. :rotfl:

swhyte · Jun 20, 2004

My dear you do sound very upset about the recuitment of foreign nurses. As I have said before nursing is universal.We should be able to work where ever we feel like. Yes I am a foreign nurse a very good one too. Very fluent in english and french.We are use to our 4 straight 12hour shifts in a week,then three days off and back for another 3 straight 12 hour shifts. We do this because we are not in this profession to pay our mortages,car payments etc.I am pretty sure that when nursing becomes " JOB"for us we will quit.It was never about the money.Its all about seeing our patients smile, say thank you, and go home to their families being well. Almost all of the responses to this survey is about money.Of course we do need money to pay our bills but at the rate at how most of you go about it ,its like to hell with patient care.... no money ' I am quitting. Is the working condition in your country so bad for nurses that so many thousand nurses quit their jobs? I believe there is a beef going on for foreign nurses. Most of what has being said breeds and harboured hatered.We are supposed to be professionals. Not hate mongers of others who wants to explore and learn new things. You all should be embracing diversity. Take the forgein nurses share your knowledge dont beat them down because they are being paid more than you to do the same job. Find out why this is happening. We like school we are big on education most of us are MN prepared and has post RN training in speciality areas.We did not ask our government to pay tutition for us. Some of us worked two jobs to get to where we are at this time.No gold spoon or hand outs. If you need something badly go for it. Dont try to blame others if they demand theirs. Has any one heard of NAFTA? well that has given us Canadian Nurses the opportunity to live and work in your country. You could come to Canada too

its beautiful, clean and the people here are friendly. We are bilingual and multicultured and we love to give others a chance. So you all need to wake up from your childish and selfish sleep and meet the dawn of tomorrow.We are all nurses providing a service. Family Focus and Patient

Centred Care.I AM PRETTY SURE THIS IS NOT WHAT FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE INTENDED. LOVE YOU ALL.

Rep · Jun 20, 2004

My dear you do sound very upset about the recuitment of foreign nurses. As I have said before nursing is universal.We should be able to work where ever we feel like. Yes I am a foreign nurse a very good one too. Very fluent in english and french.We are use to our 4 straight 12hour shifts in a week,then three days off and back for another 3 straight 12 hour shifts. We do this because we are not in this profession to pay our mortages,car payments etc.I am pretty sure that when nursing becomes " JOB"for us we will quit.It was never about the money.Its all about seeing our patients smile, say thank you, and go home to their families being well. Almost all of the responses to this survey is about money.Of course we do need money to pay our bills but at the rate at how most of you go about it ,its like to hell with patient care.... no money ' I am quitting. Is the working condition in your country so bad for nurses that so many thousand nurses quit their jobs? I believe there is a beef going on for foreign nurses. Most of what has being said breeds and harboured hatered.We are supposed to be professionals. Not hate mongers of others who wants to explore and learn new things. You all should be embracing diversity. Take the forgein nurses share your knowledge dont beat them down because they are being paid more than you to do the same job. Find out why this is happening. We like school we are big on education most of us are MN prepared and has post RN training in speciality areas.We did not ask our government to pay tutition for us. Some of us worked two jobs to get to where we are at this time.No gold spoon or hand outs. If you need something badly go for it. Dont try to blame others if they demand theirs. Has any one heard of NAFTA? well that has given us Canadian Nurses the opportunity to live and work in your country. You could come to Canada too
its beautiful, clean and the people here are friendly. We are bilingual and multicultured and we love to give others a chance. So you all need to wake up from your childish and selfish sleep and meet the dawn of tomorrow.We are all nurses providing a service. Family Focus and Patient
Centred Care.I AM PRETTY SURE THIS IS NOT WHAT FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE INTENDED. LOVE YOU ALL.

Very well said. I totally agree with you.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 20, 2004

I have to agree with Darlene. I have been accepted to a 12 month BSN program but no money to fund it!

If someone is going to pay money for something, wouldn't you pay for what you know is a sure thing; rather than take a chance?

Unfortunately, the number of students that now begin nursing school, and the number that actually graduate from the same program is quite, quite different. The drop-out rate is truly significant. Why do you think that is? Many are going in to nursing now because they lost thier job in another field.

Nursing is now fashionable, wasn't a few years ago...........when many of you went into computers or business because that was where the money was, and now???? Most of us old-timers in the field remember what it was like whe you could make more money working at a supermarket, but we loved what we were doing and are doing now. Foreign nurses that are coming to the US have degrees as a nurse, have to pass a nursing exam prior to coming, as well as a full set of English exams. If a hospital or company invests whatever amount for you to go to school, what guarantee do they have that you will complete the program?

And there is money out there, if you look hard enough.....there are many hospitals that will pay your tuition in exchange for you working for them for a few years. AS I always say, sometimes you have to go "outside the box."

jtfreel · Jun 20, 2004

The nursing shortage is a global issue. If countries recruit from abroad, does that help with the global shortage? Does this practice address the factors fueling this issue? Does it make nursing education as viable a career option as hospital nursing? Does it attract students to enter nursing? None of the above: it says the country with the most money can buy what it needs even at the expense of others.

mother/babyRN, RN · Jun 20, 2004

I have no problem with people(nurses) from other places working here if they would like, as long as they are qualified..Much as I would expect other nations to feel about me should I choose to go abroad..However, that said, as so many others have most likely said, I do NOT think they should be specifically recruited for such things because it is an arrogant slap in the face of skilled and willing nurses already here who are not but should be treated financially, emotionally and professionally much much better. Anyone can fill a slot but only a certain few can fill it well and appropriately. The issue of recruiting from foreign countries is a problem because if that is the "answer" to the nursing shortage, it doesn't behoove American nurses already here being treated badly at the very least and wrongly most of the time, to get into the field when it is being usurped because people from other countries may be willing and grateful to accept paltry (for the skills and needs required) fianancial and professional circumstances.

Been there done that during the last shortage. Didn't work then and won't work now...

Stellamj99 · Jun 21, 2004

This month's survey Question:
Should nurses from other countries be recruited to aid in the nursing shortage?
Please take a minute to take answer our survey and please feel free to reply to this topic to post any comments that you may have on the topic.

No, I do not think that we should be recruiting nurses from other countries. It is bad enough that they are moving so many computer jobs, factories and other businesses out of the country forcing many men and women to go jobless. There is no reason to put our nurses out of work or try to make them work for less after all they have been through. It is very unfair what is happening to our country.