US licensing exam to be given in foreign countries.

[nilepoc]

US licensing exams to be given on foreign soil.

Foreign nurse licensing exams to be offered in 2004. In an effort to stop the sinking boat that is the nursing shortage, our country is going to offer licensing exams in foreign countries, and our places of employment are going pay to import those nurses. I don't know about you, but this does not seem like a valid method to fix our shortage. I personally feel that this will drive nursing further into the ground, and discourage people from joining the "NURSING PROFESSION". I have provided a link for the article on USAtoday website. What do you think about this?

[sjoe]

Another good way to cut costs for hospitals (and bring in more cash for the nursing boards and testing services).

"Never mind that your nurse can't speak your language and doesn't know your customs IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY! And heaven only knows what training he/she had--besides learning how to answer multiple choice questions. That's all we (HMO, Insurance plan, hospital) offer."

No doubt most of these countries (not including the Phillipines, which is perhaps the only exception, having long ago turned nursing into an export business) appreciate the US's contribution to world health by skimming off its nurses as we do its oil, minerals, and many of the rest of its resources, leaving very little behind for its own population (except the money they send "home," which adversely affects our balance of trade). "Healthcare colonialism"--that has a nice ring.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Speak Brother, SPEAK!!

[Q.]

I think it's a tragedy and I totally disagree with it. THERE ARE ENOUGH NURSES ALREADY IN THE US TO STAFF! The problem is that we (they) are leaving the field. I think that question/problem needs to be addressed.

Throwing more bodies at it won't solve the problem, because the problems will still exist that drive them out anyway.

I tell ya, I am getting scared to get sick.

[caliotter3]

Can add nothing without demolishing the laws of PC. Read the article and had this thought concerning the $10,000 figure that some companies spend to import a nurse: Would they spend $10 toward getting me licensed to practice nursing? I know of what I speak. Ooops, maybe I shouldn't have asked for help using English!

[Welshgirl]

Originally posted by Susy K

I think it's a tragedy and I totally disagree with it. THERE ARE ENOUGH NURSES ALREADY IN THE US TO STAFF! The problem is that we (they) are leaving the field. I think that question/problem needs to be addressed.

Throwing more bodies at it won't solve the problem, because the problems will still exist that drive them out anyway.

I tell ya, I am getting scared to get sick.

Susy K...I totally concur! I know of two agencies that are persuing foreign nurses to come work for them in the states. They already have the ball rolling and have gone through the necessary paperwork.

I have worked overseas (Middle East) and I know for a fact that any of those nurses in rural villages & towns would have jumped at the chance to come to the U.S.A. to earn more than $8.00 per day as a nurse. Now, it will be much easier for them since the tests will be given in their country....not sure when or if exams will be given in the Middle East.... but, hey...wouldn't suprise me.

We need to stand up for our profession...collectively.

[fergus51]

Ok, as an immigrant, I may be a bit biased, but I think it's just fine. I only had to drive across the border to write the NCLEX anyways, and this would have saved me a hotel for the night. As long as these devil foreign nurses;) are allowed to write the NCLEX and immigrate I don't see what difference it makes where they write it. American nurses can emmigrate and make a good living at nursing in a lot of places if they want to as well.

[Q.]

Tracy,

I think the point more so is the long term goal of filling the gaps with foreign nurses, rather than addressing the problem in the first place. People hear "nursing shortage" and they think we need bodies. Well, yes, we do, but we have bodies already here: 2.7 million of them. The problem is, they are not working in the field. The question of "WHY" needs to be looked at and answered, and then those 2.7 licensed nurses who live, work and were educated in the US can return to work with some sense of satisfaction, safety and respect.

[fergus51]

I understand that but the fact is I don't think American nurses that are out of commision are all going to come back ever anyways. I always hear that figure, but there are no specifics like their average age, specialty, years out of nursing, etc. If they were willing to return I would like to hear more from them as a group, lobbying for change.

And, I know I will get flamed, but for pay and job opportunities (like CNM, CRNA, etc.) parts of the US are better than anywhere else in the world. I know it's only parts, but even those parts still have shortages.

Besides, I have never heard an American nurse refuse to make the big $$$ in S.Arabia because she didn't want to take jobs away from the Saudi women. Is it a little scary to see immigrants coming in and taking jobs? Sure. It brings out the xenophobe in us all, including me, but what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[fergus51]

Oh, and I know there is a perception that immigrant nurses come here, are completely meek and subservient, accept lower wages and put up with unsafe conditions, but that hasn't been my experience at all. The toughest NM I have ever had was from Hong Kong, and she never tolerated anything fishy from admin or docs.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

fergus, how can I say this in a PC way....?

To me Canada is unlike a "foreign country." No you aren't a state, territory etc. but you are certainly a friend to all in the US. I personally would have NO problem with reciprocity between Canada and the US.

Oh and *I* had to stay two nights in a hotel because our state board test was two days long :)

[Spazzy Nurse, RN]

one of our big local hospitals is already going over to other countries and recruiting...... they're paying for their visas and everything to get their nurses over here. way to keep our economy strong.

someone said in their post that we do have enough bodies in the u.s. to lessen the nursing shortage, and we really do. i had a hell of a time going to school because of the cost..... i am white and my parents were married, so i didn't get a single penny as far as grant money, and the money i could take out as a loan was even very limited...... money that i would be having to pay back (with interest) anyway. financially, it was pretty tough for me, and i think that's what prevents a lot of people from going to school. it's not like you have a class here and there--- your days are completely full with classes, clinicals, studying, and work (if you can even fit the work part in).

story time...........one day there was a foreign girl in the bookstore, trying to purchase a bunch of fancy pens and stuff with her *free* book voucher. she threw the fit of all fits when the cashier told her the voucher was for texts only. i was standing behind her, trying to calculate to the last cent how much i had left on my credit card so i could buy more books, and i almost attacked the chick. here i was in my own country and barely being able to go to school, and then someone from another country comes in and gets free tuition, free books, free medical insurance, etc. etc. etc. i definitely formed a real attitude during my school days (can ya tell? ).

i think rather than spending all of the money to bring foreign nurses in, we need to promote and support the quest for new nurses here in our own country.

and by the way, we don't think of canada as a foreign country really. we just have to say that because you wear those goofy touques. :chuckle