As I was on my way to the hospital where I am working, I noticed a significant increase in the number of nursing students I've been seeing lately. Almost 60% of the total population of the school that I graduated were nursing students, from 40% in my college days to a whooping 60% at present time, not to mention the other colleges who offer nursing education here in my city and in the Philippines in general.
When these youngsters graduate, would you consider the Philippines as way too crowded with nurses, with the rate of our Nursing Service Personnels flying out of the country?
Defintion of Nurses: individuals who successfully completed a BS degree in Nursing and has successfully passed the Local Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE), may or may not be employed in a hospital.
I've done a little research and compiled some of the top global destinations of nurses and their projected Personnel Shortage below.
Projected Shortage:
United States
275,000 RN FTE shortfall in 2010
808,000 RN FTE shortfall in 2020
Canada
National projections unavailable
30,000 RNs will be lost in 50-65 age group by 2006, a 13% loss from 2001
England
108,000 additional RN FTEs needed by 2020
Wales
6,000 additional RNs needed by 2010
Australia
Projected shortage of 40,000 nurses by 2010
New Zealand
RN shortages reported throughout health sector
I've added some Factors that are leading our nurses (and students actually to take up nursing) to seek an employment abroad aside from the obvious financial freedom.
Push Factors
Low pay - Pinoy nurses earns an average of Php8,000/month
Poor working conditions - You've seen our public hospitals, you be the judge.
Poorly resourced systems - again, our political system is corrupt leading to a corrupted health sector.
Limited career opportunities - not to mention expensive. (masters, ph.d's, specializations)
Limited education - few masteral degrees available in the Philippines.
Dangerous environment - shortage of gloves is one contributing factor. None/shortage of protective apparels (masks, gowns, goggles)
Economic instability - fluctuating PPPeso.
Pull Factors
Higher pay/ opportunities for remittances - Isn't this obvious?
Better working conditions - You get paid better by doing less.
Better resourced systems - Foreign health sectors are far more efficient in terms of budget and delivery of services.
Career opportunities - e.g. nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, travel nurse.
Provision of post-basic education - foreign employers are strict on implementing CE units, thus providing more specialization opportunities.
Political stability - at least, not as shaky as the Philippine's.
Travel opportunities - You work.You earn.You travel and get vacations for free.
Click HERE for immigration links that might help your dollar quest.
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