Please find below my comments an article from TheHill.com (health blog section) about a request from the U.S. nursing home industry to include a “viable” guest worker program in any immigration reform.
I second this request.
Dedicated, loving, well-trained nurses of any nationality should be able to work in the USA.
North America does not have enough nurses and geriatricians as it is. The work is hard. It takes an open heart and deep concern for the well-being of all, especially the elderly and infirm.
It is my experience with most nurses from Canada, Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Italy, and the Philippines, for example, that they are truly caring and connect well with their patients. (I do not have experience with nurses from countries other than those mentioned).
It goes without saying that the U.S. has a remarkable corps of nurses. The point of the comments, however, is that there are not enough nurses to fulfill the needs, not to mention future needs with the ever-growing senior population.
Caring is an intangible talent that goes beyond borders.
It also goes without saying that all those who would be welcome on the guest worker program would be qualified.
NURSING HOMES WANT GUEST WORKER PROGRAM IN IMMIGRATION BILL
By Sam Baker – 03/13/13 10:34 AM ET
The nursing-home industry said Wednesday that Congress should include a “viable” guest worker program in any immigration overhaul, and should also lift caps on employer-sponsored visas for healthcare workers.
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) said immigration reform should recognize the needs of employers — including nursing homes and long-term care providers, who rely heavily on immigrants for positions such as nurses.
“Members of the long term care community employ immigrants and boost the economy. Any visa program must give employers, not the government, the primary say in which workers they need to staff their businesses,” the AHCA said. “In addition, the labor market should also have the primary say in how many workers enter the country annually in a legal program.”
The group is scheduled to testify at a House hearing Thursday on immigration reform.
AHCA said the supply of skilled nurses in the U.S. will fall more than 30 percent short by 2020 if Congress does not act. The nursing-home group said immigration reform should allow employers to access “previously unused” temporary visas for healthcare workers.
Wellness Shepherd 