Importing Foreign-trained nurses

prn nurse · Nov 27, 2001

The thing I hate about working with Filapina nurses is that they always talk in Filapino. I work the night shift on a large unit. Our hospital has about an equal number of nurses from the Phillipines, Nigeria, and India. The Indian nurses have their own separate dialects that they use when on break. But , once the administrative folks have gone home for the day, the conversation from the Filapina is gone for the day too. The charge Filapina nurse will discuss my patients' with the others , but not in a language I understand. And when a doctor comes on the floor and complains about a Filapina nurses patient care/orders, we never have a clue as to what happened. It is discussed in Filapina only. Yes, we have asked them to speak English at work. No, they do not. It is rude.

Whisper · Nov 28, 2001

Larry, at this moment in time, I have no urge to work in America, I envy those who can leave their home land and give up a way of life, I couldn't stand to be that far away form all my relatives. I was just comparing the fact that that they get paid more than I will, I live in the North. So I will get a lot less than London.

Also I don't get that much Bursary money,as I am a Degree student and only Foreign students or Diploma students are elligble for the higher rate of bursary:confused: It is easy to forget that we are all on the same course!

reggiedoc · Nov 28, 2001

Dear PRN nurse,

I hope this email finds you well. I can certainly understand your exasperation over foreign nurses speaking their own languages in the workplace. I am a foreign nurse myself. Yet I can empathize with your experience. I come from the southern part of the Philippines and we speak a different language than those that come from other parts of the country. On one hand, I feel excluded, disrespected, slighted and unappreciated when people speak a language that is foreign to me in my presence. On the other hand, I feel more at home, secure, connected and relatable to my own people when I speak my native language with them. Where do we draw the line? Sometimes, it is not even a matter of choice but of inclination. I even catch myself stopping in the middle of a conversation to switch to English when I see non-English speakers within hearing distance. At times, speaking in one's native language operates in the subconscious level. Of course, I want to make a distinction between people who deliberately engage in a non-English conversation to exclude, taunt, gossip or manipulate others and those that do it because it is second nature to them.

I have learned to be conscious of my environment and be sensitive to others but I still find myself messing up sometimes. I think there is a right time and a right place for everything so that both exercises do not lead to division, disunity or resentment. Indeed, it is rude when done without regard to the environment and/or people hearing the conversation but is also a demonstration of one's individuality, ethnicity and uniqueness as a human being. I think the foreign nurse should strive to strike a balance.

Very sincerely,

Reggie;)

-jt · Nov 28, 2001

I thought it was clear but let me say it again:

The problem is not with YOU or other foreign-trained nurses. The problem is that HOSPITALS are using you to help them IGNORE the reasons why US nurses wont work in them.

It is not YOU that is the problem. It is that the hospitals refuse to listen to what we are saying is driving us out and keeping us out. They refuse to make the necessary improvements to attract and retain nurses & just expect to hop a plane, bring over enough of you and your colleagues, and that will solve the problem and solve it much more cheaply.

In the meantime, the nursing profession here dies out and your country's nursing shortage worsens. And you are here working in the same dangerously abusive, unsafe, demoralizing conditions that we walked out of.

Instead of looking at themselves and their facilities & thinking of what can they do to make their place one that nurses will want to work in, they are just thinking OK lets go to & get nurses who want to come to America. Bringing over a bunch of other nurses is not going to fix the problems we have, but thats where the hospitals priority, focus, and attention is. THATS the problem.

[email protected] · Dec 1, 2001

jt?

could I use your post to quote in my paper?? you said it so well and it fits.

-jt · Dec 2, 2001

lol. Be my guest! Every little bit helps!

Larry · Dec 2, 2001

Well Whisper your facts about the salary of a newly qualified 'D' registered nurse are incorrect. I suggest that if you want to bring in a fact you should quantify it with research, i.e. an article or reference.

Since the minimum wage is I believe something akin to that level - I cannot believe the amount in question. I was under the opinion that nurses outside London make a minimum of £15,445 a year ( http://www.nursingtimes.net / http://www.cardiffandvale.wales.nhs.uk ).

Indeed I think that they make more than this basic taking into account unsociable hours, weekend work and other benefits from working in NHS.

I am at present myself working as a D grade agency in London and am making £30,000 a year.

The present government will raise taxes to improve the salary of health professionals - and I feel that nurses wages will go up to that of level police entrants.

Things can only get better.

I think that nurses starting pay will more to £18k and in London £23k.

From your comments I think you are gettting confused with A grade Health Care Assistants salaries.

Larry · Dec 2, 2001

My wife is a Filipina nurse, and also her sister. They both work in the UK. They have adapted well to their new paradigm. They both work in a Nursing Home as RGNs and are well-accepted by the establishment.

Filipino nurses have good opportunities within UK to be treated as equals in our society. Indeed in UK we have a multi-ethnic culture.

see http://www.ukcc.org.uk/cms/content/home/

http://www.nhs.uk/workingforthenhs/default.asp

Mijourney · Dec 2, 2001

Hi. I think -jt is right on the money in regards to the nursing crises in the states. IMO, nurses coming from other countries to the states to work does not offend me. It does offend me when my government or administration actively pursues foreign workers when they won't solve the problem in their back yards. The question is why do we have a nursing shortage in the first place? It's not a simple answer. But, those who own, operate, or manage hospitals and other types of patient care settings refuse to look the issue straight in the eye.

In regards to the language barrier, I do get self-conscious around those who speak other languages besides English. I also feel a little strange around others who may have a different English dialect then mine. One way to help some of the self-consciousness, IMO, is to learn another culture and language.

[email protected] · Dec 2, 2001

jt- thanks - theresa. you will be identified as " one of over 2000 hits in a five day peroid on a national nurses bullitien board"

heh heh I have so many refrences for this paper.

reggiedoc · Dec 2, 2001

Hey Larry,

Good to hear from you again. It is encouraging to hear that the Filipina nurses are acclimating well in the U.K.! My first cousin left for London this past year and she is doing well. She is getting married next year in the Philippines. I am also happily married to a Filipina nurse from Quezon, Philippines. I met her in the nursing home I used to work for. Anyway, I wish you the best this holiday season. Again, salamat! God bless your nursing endeavors.

Sincerely,

Reggie

NurseDennie, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2001

I agree with your point, Mijourney. I also think: The more nurses the better! But that's not true when nurses come here and are used the way some of my friends have been used. It's not good for THEM for sure, and it's not good for the nursing situation at all.

As far as the Filippina nurses not speaking English - I didn't really run into that at all. I was the ONLY non-Filippina in the group, and it did take a bit of adjustment on everybody's part. It's hard to beat down that paranoid feeling that maybe they're saying something about ME. But, I know it's a lot easier and more relaxing to speak in your own language! As we got closer and had more to say to each other, they spoke English as we shared breaks, and in less-busy times. And I picked up a word or phrase here and there. When I ever get to have grandkids, I want them to call me Lola, which is the Philippina word for grandmother. I can't stand the thought of being "granny" (EWWWwwww) and Grandmama is too long... I like "Lola" Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets! (G)

Love

Dennie