H.R. 2536 would provide relief for the shortage of nurses in the United States.
Detailed Summary
Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act - Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 to lift until September 30, 2012, the numerical limitations on employment-based immigrants (and accompanying family members) hired as nurses and physical therapists, subject to a cap of 20,000 visas.
Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award annual grants to nursing schools to increase the number of faculty and students at such schools. Establishes in the Treasury a Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account to fund such grant program. <p />
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) allow an alien who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and is a physician or other health care worker to work in a candidate country (defined to include a lower middle income country or one experiencing a natural disaster) without losing eligibility for naturalization; and (2) make inadmissible alien physicians or health care workers who have an outstanding obligation to their country of origin based upon financial assistance received from such country for medical training. Allows a waiver of inadmissibility under certain circumstances.
Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a partnership program to award grants to certain healthcare and training entities to provide education to nurses and create a pipeline to nursing for incumbent ancillary health care workers who wish to advance their careers.
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect and report to Congress on specified data on alien workers employed as professional nurses or physical therapists.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Heather, RN
August 26, 2009, 10:18am (report abuse)As a new graduate nurse, I would strongly disagree that this is the answer to the "so-called" nursing shortage.
The problem is not a lack of nurses. I graduated from nursing school in May, passed my NCLEX examination and became a licensed nurse in July.
I have numerous friends and licensed nurses who are UNABLE to find work. Hospitals and other places want experience, they don't want the new graduates who are trained, willing, able, and ready to work. Unless you are in this field, I don't think you understand exactly what is happening.
Employ us, the new grads. We were trained just as everyone else was. We've passed our exams and shown that we are competent to work as nurses. Why won't you hire us??? It took me well over three months to find a job as a nurse. I have friends who are still unable to find work as a nurse. Tell them about the shortage. I'm sure they would love to help!
UK Nurse
August 28, 2009, 4:28am (report abuse)firstly to previous question as far as i am aware there is no restrictions on US nurses coming to the UK.However, the EB3 catagory the UK is in also covers the rest of the world, so we only recieve a very small portion of the allocated visa's, if you want more english speaking nurses(so there are no communication barriers)then maybe there should be a catagory based on that instead of by country!!
To all US new grad's I hope you will al find jobs soon, there is a shortage of nurses or the Goverment would not be wanting to train more nurses. When the recession is over and Health Care Reform finished there will be jobs so keep looking and Good Luck.
CaRNstudent
August 30, 2009, 11:41pm (report abuse)Ladies and Gents do not be misled on the guise of bills such as these. How in an economy where jobs are tough, are we going to continue to bring in foriegn individuals to fill jobs that U.S. citizens should have the right to first. Politicians continue to grade us as 2nd class citizens, for their selfish interests. Simply put this is how votes are bought for these career politicians,by using the minorities brought in through political favor. They make a name for themselves among those not familiar with the games involved in U.S. politics! In the long run they make a name for themselves with minorities. Let me add I'm a minority,A military veteran,and RN student also I'm a U.S. born citizen and these jobs should be for us first. Mainstreet politics are putting YOU in the backseat! write these airheads in office who sponer this bill! inform them who they represent first. U.S. CITIZENS!
CaRNstudent
August 30, 2009, 11:56pm (report abuse)One more thing stop the ignorant line of "these are jobs that U.S. worker dont want...so why not give to foreign nurse student" First of all thats not clear, concise, english.Im not about to waste valuable time decrypting poor english by a foriegn nurse in a chart, U.S. doctors are bad enough as is.Returning to my point, U.S. WORKER DO WANT! infact! its evident U.S. TRAINED NURSE!!!! not getting job right now! this is bad bad problem! wow.
CaRNstudent
August 31, 2009, 12:16am (report abuse)Sadly, I must add another comment. Management, and administration, should start really applying punishments for those not following hospital policy for speaking english! Consistently signs are posted around units and those are told you should be speaking english. Why? because its rude to have others around you speaking in a language and you have no clue wtf is being said. Maybe if this happened all the bullsh*t gang mentality of these tagado,chinese,korean, speaking foreign nurses would stop. Yes its a gang mentality, many are very aware in the los angeles area of how clickish phils are. Remember your in the U.S. stop dividing yourself from the poplutlation, WERE ALL AMERICANS HERE. f**king christ.
CA RN
August 31, 2009, 4:14am (report abuse)To CaRNstudent,
Not all foreign born nurses are inept or not proficient with the english language. I am foreign born and I speak excellent english, in writing and oral(including diction and intonation) Don't try to generalized all foreign nurses into your biased and irrelevant comments regarding nursing policies in hospital settings specifically in relation to speaking in languages other than english. What's that got to do with this bill? "clickish"? Your a mediocre student with a foul mouth and probably wont be hired due to incompetence. See? how does it feel to be judged that way?
RN
August 31, 2009, 10:03am (report abuse)I AGREE WITH YOU CA RN.YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGISTERED NURSE AND A STUDENT NURSE...
CaRNstudent
September 1, 2009, 6:14pm (report abuse)Welp I guess you just solved it all for us CA RN. I was so foulish to think my opinions or experiences had real substance. Forgive me as well for being a student RN, werent you all students at one time? Clickish? yes scene it with my own eyes, I attest to this, so dont act like this doesnt exist. let me tell you a thing or two about a thing or two.
CA RN
September 2, 2009, 1:38am (report abuse)To CaRNstudent
You just don't get it do you? Whether the clickish (there is no such word) situation exist or not it is not related to this bill. Yes, we were student once, but the difference between us is we were not arrogant, ill mannered and pretentious students unlike....
uk nurse
September 3, 2009, 8:58am (report abuse)surely with the predicted nursing shortages produced by ANA with something like 56% of nurses due to retire in the next few years there should be plenty of jobs for everyone, US and Foreign, newly qualified and experienced, so please consider this bill as necessary for the long term benefits
Stupid American
September 3, 2009, 10:09pm (report abuse)They only care about what is happening now instead of future. That is why their economy goes way down..
US Nurse
September 6, 2009, 12:27pm (report abuse)While they are predicting a shortage in nursing, they are not factoring in that many US nursing schools are graduating more students. Also the predictions have been off by over 100,000
Tricia RN
September 7, 2009, 4:48pm (report abuse)It would be in your best interst not to pass this bill...as a new grad nurse I and recently passing my NCLEX I can not find a job anywhere and I live here in the US. I'm not alone in this situation. you need to help us US citizins before helping other countries. Where is my job, my security for the future. I was trained a lot better than any foriegn nurse out there!!!!
Unemployed BSN Graduate
September 10, 2009, 6:21am (report abuse)Is it me, or is this bill basically allowing for out sourcing RNs to fill the nursing shortage? As a new BSN grad who has applied everywhere in NJ only to either be completely ignored or told "we want experienced only," it doesn't feel like the hospitals are in dire need of more staff. For if they were, I would imagine that they would be willing to hire the 1,000 of unemployed new RN grads like myself who were lured into this profession with the promise of a sea of jobs upon completion of the program. And, Oh! What a program it is! Truely gruelling, you submit your life for at least 2 years, constantly telling yourself that it will all be worth it when you pass - you'll be secure in a job that will always want you. Only to find out you're wrong. That this country feels more secure hiring someone from across the globe then entrusting you with the lives of your fellow man. I'm sorry, but I can't agree with this when I myself am out of work along side a majority of my graduating class.
Unemplyed BSN Graduate
September 10, 2009, 6:29am (report abuse)UK Nurse, as much as I wish what you're saying is true, it is not. Because of the downfall of our economy, many of the nurses that would have retired have not and those who were working part time transferred over to full time to help out supplement income of a spouse that lost a job or has had their hours drastically cut. So a lot of the jobs they thought would be available by now simply aren't. Though I do like the idea of have a culturally diverse group of nurses all working together, right now is just not the time to pass this bill. The focus of our government should be to employ its citizens first before hiring those outside.
wilson Rn
September 11, 2009, 3:19pm (report abuse)this is horrible. how unpatriotic to take away my opportunity to give to another country man. ive been looking for a job and a foreigner is been given my job, after i trained and graduated top of my class. thats BS, they will just take the money they make and bring more of their people here or send the needed money and untaxed dollars to their country???
CA RN
September 11, 2009, 11:18pm (report abuse)to wilson RN,
"more of their people"? that's a racist remark there, why dont you just stick to the facts of nursing shortage and stop making unnecessary insults. BTW, all salaries given to foreign nurses are already deducted with taxes, your comment of untaxed dollars is ignorant of the US tax system.
just wondering
September 15, 2009, 8:07am (report abuse)I think there are enough nursing jobs for all nurses trained inside or outside the US. Maybe the main problem is not the lack of education for IEN, but the fact that IEN are seen as a threat for american nurses. Why most american nurses behave like this? Are you afraid that IEN are better than you and you may lose your jobs because of your lack of nursing skills? If not, then what is the real reason? Would it be the hate, racism or what? Not all americans are 100% born in the US.Maybe your ancestors came from other countries and established to USA for you to have a better life now! Have you ever wondered that? So don't judged people only for their skin! Be more wise when you say something about others.
US Nurse
September 16, 2009, 7:30pm (report abuse)American nurses come in all colors, so why would we be afraid of any color? Despite what your agencies or immigration lawyers tell you there is no nursing shortage.
And you are right not all Americans where born in America, but came to the US legally and became citizens.
edna
September 16, 2009, 7:59pm (report abuse)Why bringing new nurse when there is plenty in NY. I'm a registered nurse graduated in NY and i'm unable to find a job because i'm new! I'm talking for me and other 39 people that graduated with this june 2009. From the 40 people that graduated this June, just one person is working and just because he knew somebody from that hospital. How crazy is bringing new nurses when the people from this country can't find one.
US Nurse
September 17, 2009, 11:21am (report abuse)What is even worse, if an international nurse gets hired and there is a reduction in the workforce the US Nurse gets laid off ( in a non union employer). The reason why is the foreign nurse has a contract! SO the foreign nurse will have protections that a US nurse doesn't.
In a depressed market some organizations are trying to reduce nursing salaries by importing foreign nurses who will work without question.
Judy T
September 21, 2009, 12:22am (report abuse)I'm a bit confused - we need to bring in foreign nurses when RN's here in America can't find jobs. So much for a nursing shortage.
US Nurse
October 4, 2009, 6:39pm (report abuse)Several reasons, immigration lawyers and agencies that import nurses are pushing the bill. It is October now, Congress is working hard to get a health care reform bill by Thanksgiving. Most think Comprehensive Immigration Reform will be in 2010. I doubt this bill will ever come up for a vote.
Shawn
October 4, 2009, 7:13pm (report abuse)ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I graduated nursing school in April, passed the NCLEX in May and its Ocotber and I still CANNOT GET A JOB! I have great references, training and experience and there is just no money to train new grad RN's....why in the world would be bring in nurses when there are tons of new grads that cant get hired, money need to go to training new grads instread of bring in outsiders who wont even spent their money in the country.
K Angel
October 4, 2009, 11:33pm (report abuse)I really don't understand why some americans are against the idea of importing foreign nurses when the country is really in dire need of nurses. Note that foreign nurses are not inferior to americans. A handful may have difficulty in speaking English but with some practice, they'll be able to learn the language in no time. Also, US is nly to import those who passed the NCLEX-RN. That then puts the american nurses and foreign nurses in equal footing. Please do not be selfish.There are alot of deserving foreign nurses out there.
Carrie
October 5, 2009, 12:21am (report abuse)I am an american nurse and ive worked with filipino nurse and they are hardworking and loyal. I just want this bill to become a law simply because working with them makes my work easier...
foreign USRN
October 5, 2009, 4:11am (report abuse)I have read the previous comments and it hurts me to see that nurses of different countries try to pull their colleagues down for their own personal interests. Voicing our opinions for this matter doesn't need to include words that would derogate others' beliefs and interests. I am in favor of this bill, not solely for personal gains, but also to fulfill my sworn commitment to my profession.
MRN
October 5, 2009, 9:04am (report abuse)thank you K Angel, Carrie and foreign USRN. It's nice to hear a good word especially from a native american nurse.
US Nurse
October 5, 2009, 9:44pm (report abuse)Carrie, can you tell me where you live? Things are tough, nursing home budgets cut by billions as well as hospitals. Are you Carrie saying the US should import foreign nurses and leave US citizens unemployed ?
Yes there are many deserving foreign nurses but there are unemployed US Nurses. K Angel are you advocating laying off US nurses and importing foreign nurses please explain.
Also tell me one country that imports nurses while the native nurses are unemployed ?
to all unemployed american nurses
October 6, 2009, 8:38am (report abuse)jobs are hard to find only for so called experienced american nurse but not for foreign educated nurse. i thought foreign nurse are not qualified based on your statement and how come they are all getting the jobs and all foriegn graduate nurse are not having problem finding a job? by the way, thank you for showing that foreign graduate nurse are more preferred in acute hosp than american graduate nurse,it only shows that they are highly qualified than american nurse.
PNM8F
October 6, 2009, 5:29pm (report abuse)Response to "to all unemployed american nurses" there is no way with retrogression foreign nurses are being legally imported. That is what this bill is about.
to USNurse
October 7, 2009, 2:01am (report abuse)Maybe Carrie is more open minded than others!!!
K Angel
October 8, 2009, 6:26am (report abuse)US Nurse, you obviously don't get my point. America is in dire need of nurses. I see ads in websites and newpapers everyday offering positions even to new grad american nurses. Probably those unemployed are not as persistent as their foreign conterparts.
The point is the US just lacks nurses!
K Angel
October 8, 2009, 6:29am (report abuse)Yes, Carrie is more openminded and not selfish at that.
K Angel Unbelievable
October 8, 2009, 1:01pm (report abuse)To K Angel, I don't know where you are finding these ads. Perhaps agencies that do not have positions.
In my area there are hiring freezes.
Could you post the links to these American Newspapers ? Otherwise I will deem your information as misinformation or propaganda.
to all
October 8, 2009, 7:47pm (report abuse)don't mind US nurse she is not even a nurse,she is one of the many individuals hired by anti-immigrant group to look for the blog that is related to immigration. she is a troll!!!
To All
October 9, 2009, 4:22pm (report abuse)No one is against immigration, what US Nurses are saying despite the propaganda people post here that there is a shortage, no one person has cited a place where new graduates are being recruited. There is no emergency and foreign nurses are WELCOME to follow the normal immigration path.
texas nurse
October 10, 2009, 8:12pm (report abuse)have you read all the comments that US NURSE made????she's against foreign nurses coming to america because they are inferior and couldn't speak english fluently and she's saying that US TRAINED NURSES are more superior than foreign trained nurse but the question is...how come that those foreign trained nurses could not find a job? or shall we say nobody wants to hire them instead hospitals choose to hire foreign nurses? im really confused..............
To Texas Nurse
October 11, 2009, 6:52pm (report abuse)First of all not all foreign nurses have trouble speaking English, some of them are native born English Speakers.
The point of this bill is to enact an Emergency provision to import foreign trained nurses.
The fact is the US economy is terrible, hospital admissions are down while nursing positions have had very little turnover.
Medicare a major budget buster is decreasing reimbursements and hospitals and nursing homes are either freezing positions and laying off nurses.
So why does the USA need to emergently import nurses ? Foreign nurses cost more to orient while hospitals are looking to reduce costs. In the mean time the US has more nurses then open nursing positions. So please tell me where us the emergency right now.
5464357
October 11, 2009, 9:34pm (report abuse)check ANTELOPE VALLEY HOSP they are looking for a bunch of nurses to fill up diff. position.
Antelope Valley Hosp
October 12, 2009, 12:24am (report abuse)All the positions require nursing experience therefore foreign grads who require orientation similar to a new grad do not qualify.
US NURSES
October 12, 2009, 8:45am (report abuse)which only means that foreign nurses with experience are far more better than a newly graduate american nurses. i thought that american graduate nurses are superior and well trained because they are being exposed to the ideal set-up,so why do they have to undergo training?is their training while in school not enough?i bet not! because hospital would not hire them...why would hospitals choose to hire foreign nurses than american nurses? as what one of the blogger said it cost a lot to orient foreign nurses.it only shows that they are willing to spend more for foreign nurses than to hire a american nurses....
Foreign Nurses are Expensive
October 12, 2009, 12:11pm (report abuse)"The development and evaluation of more comprehensive orientation and training activities are warranted and have been recommended by the AHA."
http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/23/3/78
Professional Support
c. Provide or assist in the provision of clinical orientation to ensure appropriate delivery of care, particularly with regard to clinical practices and procedures that may not be familiar to FENs.
d. Provide or assist in the provision of sufficient training of FENs in cultural/linguistic appropriateness
http://www.fairinternationalrecruitment.org/TheCode.pdf
Summary:
Foreign nurses ( even with extensive experience need a prolonged orientation). They are not like travel nurses who can work with min. orientation. The use tax payer funds for transportation and housing .
More importantly, why hire foreign nurses when the employment rate is 9% and climbing and reimbursement is declining.
US-educated RN
October 13, 2009, 2:40am (report abuse)For those who oppose hiring non-immigrant RNs, please look at the big picture:
EVERY year, there is about ONE million legal immigrant come to the US (EXCLUDE employment based-immigrant). For those new immigrants:
* How many of them will receive federal/state aids such as medicare, food stamps,...? => Most of them
* How many of them will compete with "native" US citizens in the general labor market? => A lot of them
* How many of them already have qualified degrees to be able to get professional jobs? => just a few
US-educated RN
October 13, 2009, 2:41am (report abuse)The nursing shortage is currently estimated at about 100,000 nurses. That is only 10% compared to the above annual ONE million immigrants. Please remember that a non-immigrant RN can ONLY immigrate to the US after he/she has a full-time job offer. This means that, even if 100,000 non-immigrant nurses come to the US (and fix the nursing shortage), there will be 100,000 more people who will pay taxes.
I am pretty confidence to say that we have AT LEAST 1 million people receiving unemployment benefits at this moment. What if 10 ten years ago, just 10% of these people had worked harder and become RNs; obviously, there would be no nursing shortage at this moment. In fact, those US citizens chose not to become RNs (for any reasons). So, non-immigrant RNs DO NOT take away any job, they just fill in vacations that made available by US citizens.
US-educated RN
October 13, 2009, 2:42am (report abuse)6 years ago, my friend and I both came to the US at the same time. She came as an immigrant and I came on student visa. We went to the same college, took the same courses. The difference is that she paid her college by financial aids, while I paid mine by my own money. Now when we are both RNs, she, a US citizen, easily get a job; while me, a non-immigrant, has been denied many job offers due my immigration status. If "US people" consider non-immigrant RN like me come here and take their job away, so what about my friend? Since we both went through the same process, my friend should be considered a person who take away "your financial aids" to become a RN and steal a job also !!! If "US people" allow my friend to do that, why don't "US people" let non-immigrant RNs like me become US citizens and we are all the same => problems solved !!
US-educated RN
October 13, 2009, 2:43am (report abuse)It is just DOES NOT make sense when "US people" HAVE MERCY for ONE million immigrant EVERY year (to whom they are willing to share medicare, or food stamp with), but DO NOT want a few thousands non-immigrant US-educated RNs become permanent residents (those RNs will work and pay taxes)!!!
For those US nurses claims that there is no nursing shortage:
Yes, it very true that it is not easy to get a job as a new grad RN, especially if you look for ones in attractive urban areas. However, when a government agency conduct their survey, they obtain data from every hospital in this country. So it is also true that there is shortage in places that you have may never heard of. Is there anyone of you can provide some scientific proofs (other than your own observations) that show NO NURSING SHORTAGE in EVERY HOSPITAL in this country ?
Tips to recruit Nurses in Shortage Areas
October 13, 2009, 5:35pm (report abuse)Look where foreign nurses work, it is places like NYC, LA, and other urban areas, very few work in "shortage" areas.
A. Advertise in areas where nurses are unemployed.
B. Offer the same package you would spend on foreign nurses, relocation fees, housing, and extended orientation.
C.Send notices to schools of nursing.
D. Instead of using foreign recruiters, use domestic recruiters.
Using these methods I bet the jobs will be filled.
To US educated foreign nurses, you knew when you enrolled in school that you did not have a green card.
Why do you think you are now entitled to one.
All nurses pay taxes, domestic nurses don't send money off shore. So you are making a great case to support native nurses.
CONCERN
October 13, 2009, 8:19pm (report abuse)to all anti-immigrant or anti foreign nurses check your lineage or family history first,i bet your are are also an immigrant...where do you think you are now if your family were not granted a US citizenship long time ago or were not given a chance to become a US citizen? now that others want or have the dreams that your family have before you will deny them the chance? HOW DARE YOU!!!!!
To Concerned
October 13, 2009, 10:17pm (report abuse)How Dare you! You are not American and have no say in this debate. To demand to come to my country under false pretenses. An Emergency Provision that doesn't exist. All people are welcome to immigrate under the current rules. My family did not go to Congress to have a special bill to be designed for one special interest group.
PS Congressman Wexler is resigning tomorrow, the bill is doomed.
US-educated nurse
October 13, 2009, 11:15pm (report abuse)Well, I am just like one of the 1,000,000 immigrants coming to the US every year. I come to US because I believe in its freedom and opportunity for hard working people. Obviously, upon getting my RN license, I already prove that my skills and knowledge can contribute for this country.
Whenever a RN goes for a job interview, the nurse manager/director/recruiter do not know about his/her immigration status. They treat that RN just as any other "green card" or "citizen" RN. They offer the same package, the same benefits, the same orientation. Then they decide whether to hire that RN or not base solely on his/her ability. Problem comes when that RN goes to Human Resource and is asked to show immigration documents. Most of the time that non-immigrant RN will be denied the job. In rare cases,that RN will get the job with 2 options: Hospital take care the paperworks, but RN get no bonus; or RN get the bonus and responsible for paperworks
US-educated nurse
October 14, 2009, 12:41am (report abuse)There are many non-immigrant RNs who are willing to work for this country in any areas even in battle fields. Proof ? Check out the MAVNI program at goarmy.com ! I bet that if US government creates a similar program for rural or under-served areas, their nursing shortage will be fixed very soon
tshrtj
October 14, 2009, 8:12am (report abuse)greedy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
New grad RN
October 16, 2009, 1:38pm (report abuse)NO! I graduated two months ago, passed te NCLEX (the first time, for those who seem to think US new grads are having difficulty doing that) and I can't get a job anywhere. Neither can any of my classmates. This is happening nationwide. There's a misconception out there about the "nursing shortage". There's plenty of new RNs wanting to start their career. We should pass a bill for programs to help new grads successfully orient to the hospitals.
TO new Grad Rn
October 16, 2009, 5:05pm (report abuse)For some reason foreign nurses feel they should get preference over US Trained nurses. After all they do pay taxes when they work in the USA ( they seem to resent this). While you can not work in there country, but they feel entitled and feel when you express Americans first you are labeled an immigration or worse.
Not to worry the sponsor of this bill EX congressman Wexler has resigned.
d
October 19, 2009, 8:43pm (report abuse)I graduated with BSN in Nursing in December and am liscened in MA and can not find a job. I have applied at every hospital, long term facility, and any RN jobs that are posted. I'm all for bringing nurses from other countries here but we need to have enought positions open for the current ones, at least in MA.
Dreams gone
October 31, 2009, 1:56pm (report abuse)I am a military vet, new nursing graduate, passed the nclex in September and there are no jobs, but yet they want more foreign nurses. We don't need any foreign nurses because the nursing schools are turning out plenty of new nurses. Please write your congressman regarding this issue. It is a travisty. So sad the American born nurse can't find a job in their own country but foreign nurses can.
33
November 2, 2009, 3:12pm (report abuse)well i am a foreign nurse , i passed nclex and ielts and have many yrs of nursing experience, like many other foreign nurses and i can't find any job there... or i may finf any , but i am not allowed to work in the US! so be happy mr. dreams gone because i am just like you!
One foreign nurse
November 2, 2009, 4:37pm (report abuse)Nursing shortage should be top priority in health care and immigration reform
Sunday, 01 November 2009 22:28
Atty. Daniel Hanlon
Meaningful health care reform cannot occur without tackling the nursing shortage. No matter what shape the US health care system takes in the future, there will always be a need for well-trained nurses. Without them, hospital care cannot be expected to improve. Individuals, health care providers and the public must urge their Congressmen to support immigration reform as important means through which to reform the broken US health care system.
Experienced Nurse
November 8, 2009, 6:19pm (report abuse)There IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE!!There really never was. Many nurses left the field due to poor working conditions, but would have loved to continue working as nurses if improvements had been made in those conditions. However, since the recession began, many nurses have returned to the field since their spouses lost employment. Currently, there are a large number of nurses, both new and experienced, who cannot find employment. Hospitals want to hire foreign nurses, especially those from poor countried, because they can pay them much less than they can a U.S. citizen. They house 4-6 of them in one small apartment, supply them with one vehicle to share, and pay them a very small salary. This tactic is not only used to obtain less expensive labor, but it is also used to pressure nurses who are U.S. citizens into taking lower salaries or working in less than ideal conditions, stating, "If you won't do it, Suzy-Q (foreign nurse) will." If you do not work in this field, you have no idea.
To 33
November 11, 2009, 8:33am (report abuse)No, there is one BIG difference between you and Dreams Gone - they are a citizen of the U.S. and you are not. So just go on back home now. We don't need you nor want you.
33
November 11, 2009, 3:11pm (report abuse)Thank you! it's very kind of you.
CA RN
November 13, 2009, 5:03pm (report abuse)To experienced nurse,
you've been watching fictional movies too much...i'm a foreign nurse hired by a prestigious hospital...I and hundreds of other foreign nurses. Our contracts do not include being sheltered in a cramped apartment or the conditions you described. Our contracts when we started is actually the same as the american nurses, we were encouraged to join the CNA and ANA and we get the same health/dental insurances, have 401K disability and workmans comp. I am a nurse manager with an MA and an american citizen now. So please stick to the matter of the bill and don't spread "Suzy-Q lies" anymore.
TO CA RN
November 15, 2009, 10:07pm (report abuse)The bill is as good as dead. This is the middle of November and the sponsor of this bill has left congress. No Foreign nurses unless they have H1B or married an American was employed due to retrogression. You are talking ancient history.
When nursing positions open up they will be in outpatient areas where foreign nurses don't work. The days of hospitals importing nurses are over since hospital budgets have been slashed.
CA RN
November 16, 2009, 11:46pm (report abuse)To experienced nurse/american nurse/or whatever it is you keep calling yourself.,
My reply is not about whether the bill is dead or not or if Wexler is still in congress or not, those are not the reasons...I replied to you because you stated lies about cramping nurses in horrid living conditions or being unequally paid compared to american nurses. Those allegations are not true, thats why I refuted your dubious lies...so who's ancient history now?
33
November 17, 2009, 1:39pm (report abuse)Good job CA RN. Peope should pay more attention when they read something, and thinking more before they say anything that could offend somebody.I wish you all the best!
To misinformed
November 17, 2009, 6:59pm (report abuse)http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/27Rnurses.html<... />
When immigration was open situations like this happened. The nurses ( foreign and US) suffered and the patients suffered.
Read web sites where foreign nurses are paying money ( this is illegal)are posting where they paid for phony H1B so the beat goes on....
This bill is dead there is no need to import nurses.