How come a foreign nurse can find a job but American nurses can't?

MissingMyErica · Jun 9, 2011

I swear to god, I was not able to understand their responses. I mean, one of them have been in the US for over 10 years and I had to ask 3 times to understand what she was saying.
She saw me having hard time understanding, she pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and wrote down what she meant. This is what she wrote (remember she is a RN)
Piliiz tel your frenid to full the form after she cames
I would like to hear your comments.

You are so full of crap!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2011

i've looked at those links and i agree with the frustration that the hrsa is perpetuating this idea of a nursing shortage and is pressuring the government to extend visas to foreign nurses. i am frustrated by that as well as it does nothing to make patient care better and feeds all those for-profit healthcare corporations that are just out to pull in maximum revenues with minimum expense.
by continuing to cling to the myth of the nursing shortage and importing foreign nurses we allow the system to continue operating in a way that is exploitative of and damaging to all nurses and patients.
so i completely agree with that point. however, blaming foreign nurses for the problem ignores the level of corruption that exists within the healthcare system itself that allows these types of models of healthcare to exist. we're going to need to do a lot more than just get rid of foreign nurses to fix the problem. that's a very simplistic way of looking at a very complex problem.
and yes, fodder for trolls.
i would rather address the real issues of corporate corruption that make our jobs so difficult than to just say, oh let's do away with the foreign nurses because they're taking away our jobs.
at any rate, since i belong to aft i was kind of surprised to hear that they were also promoting that viewpoint, because i am definitely not on board with that. but they're not.
what they are saying is that we need to improve conditions for potential and working nurses in this country by addressing how nurses are educated -- in this country -- treated, and exploited by the current, extremely flawed system.
their resolution states:
resolved, that the american federation of teachers continue to advocate for innovative and creative ways to expand the number of students who can receive the education necessary to join the healthcare workforce; and
resolved, that the american federation of teachers call on the centers for medicare and medicaid services to significantly increase reimbursement rates to those hospitals willing to offer clinical sites for nurse training; and
resolved, that the american federation of teachers continue to advocate for legislation, regulation and bargaining language to limit workloads, ban mandatory overtime and address the other conditions that are driving health professionals from direct care; and
resolved, that the american federation of teachers consider working with others to convene a task force to develop a resource center on changes in workplace policies, procedures and contract language that might enhance retention of veteran workers.
http://www.aft.org/about/resolution_detail.cfm?articleid=1468
from this i don't see any evidence that they are lobbying to import foreign nurses, rather they want to improve conditions for working nurses. also, they are fighting to enhance educational resources for potential and working nurses in this country so that they can get degrees and jobs in the future. nowhere do they say that they see a soloution to this "shortage" as being the importation of foreign nurses.
the aft is placing the blame for this pretty squarely on the way the healthcare system/government, and healthcare corporations work hand in hand to exploit nurses, which forces good nurses out of the profession and drives up the demand for foreign nurses who will accept whatever nasty working and pay conditions the system wants to dole out.
it sucks for those nurses, it sucks for us.

it sucks a whole lot less for them for even thought they are being used and lower paid it is far better here than in thier own country..........bu it does suck for us......as recent as may 13 2011 there as a bill that would open 20,000 visas to foreign nurses. ill attach a link to the bottom so you can read it.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/bills-1...12hr1929ih.pdf

merlee · Jun 9, 2011

I am old enough to remember my 2-day test back in 1974!!! It was an ordeal for many of the students, and if you failed any one section you did not get your license. You could repeat that one section when the test was next offered. I think the testing was done only 3-4 times/year. And in Pennsylvania, the only place to take it was in Harrisburg!!

That being said, we were at the end of a big shortage at that time, and the major huge hospital I worked at had many Phillipino nurses. I am not sure how it worked, but they were housed about 2 blocks from the hospital. And then the hotel closed, and I don't know where they lived after that.

But if the issue here accents, please go to the New Orleans area - I worked there for 6 years, and always had a tough time understand the Cajun-accented population. Oy! Their mixture of French and English, into a language of its own, spoken at world-record speed, was very difficult at times. They understood me much better than I ever understood them. And they are not foreign!! There are at least 3-4 different accents in that general area, and yet this 'Northener' was the foreigner there!

I am truly not as well aware of all the political issues about the importing of foreign nurses, but I am aware of the 'hard to get hired' issues. Many places get 30-50 applications for every opening, and the older, more experienced nurse can't get hired because it's cheaper to pay the younger nurses.

Also, older nurses are more likely to have health issues, and may be considered a poor risk for long-term employment. Please do not flame me: I know of 65-70 year old nurses who are still going strong. But they are the exception, and they are mostly not at the bedside.

And, as for poor spelling and grammar, one only needs to read some of the posts around here to wonder how people made it through school! I grind my teeth at the misuse of 'there, their & they're', 'you're & your', and others, as well as the misplacement of apostrophes. I am not the police, merely someone who paid attention in ELEMENTARY school!!!!

And I wish that there was a way to ask how someone who is very hard to understand gets a position where clear communication is a large part of their day lands these jobs.

Who is doing the hiring? I know I don't get it! That being said, I worked in a foreign country in a unit where I knew the job, but needed others to translate for me when I was talking to the patients. So it is a two-way street!!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2011

And, Carol, I thought the NCLEX was easy as it's about knowing how to play the NCLEX game, not about clinical knowlege so much. Now back in the day, I've heard it was a hard 3 day long written ordeal.

If you check my age and years, you would note that I took the couple day written form in the giant auditorium. It wasn't that long ago.

I personally don't know that the computer makes it easier. Less time consuming maybe but not easier.

But knowing experienced nurses that have done the reviews or had retest d/t letting their license lapse, it isn't easier. Nor do I know any edicts coming through the organization that says that "hey, there is a shortage - let's pass more people, even if they are less competent.". Which is what the OP implies.

Not to mention the alternate licensing exam he mentions is an accounting exams.

While I am all for restricting new immigration, I am not a fan of random xenophobia, kicking out those that have been here for an extended period of time and proven that they are an assets, or implying that the immigrant that made their home here 10 years ago, had an easy time of it and at fault for current new grads not getting jobs.

misterno · Jun 9, 2011

I just can not believe that there are many American born raised nurses out of jobs and at the same time thousands and thousands of foreign nurses are let in

The fact that some or all these nurses are very good at nursing DOES NOT CHANGE the fact that they are displacing American born raised educated nurses.

Who cares if people have accents or have black skin or whatever?

The issue here is foreign nurses having the jobs of American nurses.

Why are we allowing it? now, if there is a nursing shortage then how come the nurses in this forum can not find jobs?

Can someone explain to me? (without changing the subject)

caliotter3 · Jun 9, 2011

The American employers who benefit from the importation of foreign workers influence the policy that allows this practice, and the American public supports these employers. It is up to the American public to force American employers to hire and retain American. Example: Kaiser Permanente sending a nurse recruiter to the Philippines, why? American nursing schools would not allow the KP recruiter on campus? Apparently so.

MollzBSN · Jun 9, 2011

is all I can think of

aredenyf · Jun 9, 2011

By the way.. what do you mean by foreign nurses? the color of the skin? the accent? the grammar? even shes been here for 10 years, taking care of patients, and american citizen do you still consider her as a foreigner? or are you just insecure because she is a US RN?

Oh my gosh I shouldnt be reading this, Im still working to pass the NCLEX-RN. It is soooooooo hard.

May God bless us always. May our heart is pure. envy? its a big no no... do our best to do good things to people and God will see the light that shines in our heart and will make our paths straight and succeed in everything we do. I Love you nurses.

misterno · Jun 9, 2011

Foreign nurses mean foreigners who does not have working permits to work in the USA

By the way, what do you guys mean by importation of foreign nurses is for the benefit of corporations? Do these foreign nurses work for less money?

netglow, ASN, RN · Jun 9, 2011

Carol, these decisions are not made by clinical people. They are corporate decisions made by corporate stategists (big money people). Hello, my name is Onaclearday, I have 20+ years corporate business experience (Big healthcare too). Clinical people are considered "medical workers" whether that be MD or RN, and are not regarded as peers.

The NCLEX is easy if you understand NCLEX. The very reason most highly educated second degree folks faulter on the first nursing school exams is because often the exam is composed NCLEX-style, in order to give practice for the boards. Because these tests do not test for what is learned they are "difficult" UNTIL you learn how to play the game. As soon as you catch on, you do well on those tests but begin to wonder about nursing in general.

bosnanurse · Jun 9, 2011

Hmm, I did not know that they are importing new nurses ( still ?) ? Good to know , I have a few very good friends in Europe , Africa and South America that would be interested to come and write "Piizl" :))

Yes, yes, I am one of those who are taking crumbs from somebodies' else table hm hm taste good after cleaning you know what!! And then my accent , oh gosh , so strong my tongue muscles are !!!

Cheer, and PLEASE , understand, I am so sorry you felt like that , and I hope it will never happen again .

For me though , it will never stop the questions where I finished my school ( in some country called US) and how long have I practice ( who cares if I know how to give a good back rub?!!) and yes!!! where am I from ( Planet Earth last time I checked ) . I do not agree though on unscrupulous practice of bringing on girls from other countries , paying them less then half normal RN earns and then asked them to work even more , and this is happening sometimes.We should fight for nurses worldwide because this is the biggest educated force in the world and we are bickering and thinking that we are something better.. What to say?

Good luck all on keeping your job interesting :))

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2011

is all I can think of

That's funny. But, in defense of some posters, everything looks different when viewed through the prism of age.