LJWorld.com weblogs Congressional Briefing
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by Joel Mathis
July 5, 2006 at 9:06 a.m.
India, Philippines concerned over Brownback nursing plan
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Sam Brownback[(In.Rediff.com) New US law could cripple Indian hospitals:][1] Last month, Kansas Republican Senator Sam Brownback sponsored a proposal in the US Senate that aims to remove the limit on the numbers of nurses who can immigrate to America. Moving the new provision in the Immigration Bill, Brownback said it was needed to help America cope with a growing nursing shortage. Health experts in India say the new, relaxed US immigration provisions for nurses would have an impact on countries like India and the Philippines, which are already sending thousands of nurses to America every year. Says Dr Paul Abraham, who heads a Bangalore-based non-governmental healthcare organisation called Centre for Health and Social Action: "The exodus of nurses from countries like India to the US will surely strain the health systems (in those countries)."Jerry Moran[(Salina Journal) Foreign nationals find a home, make a life for families:][2] "It's important for people to assimilate themselves," said Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. Moran also stresses the importance of language in that process. He objects to requirements for ballots and other official documents in languages other than English."In my opinion, people can speak whatever language they want in their home, with their family, but no taxpayer should be asked to pay for that - English needs to be the common denominator for public activity." Todd Tiahrt[(Wichita Eagle) Federal fight may slow city projects:][3] Backlash against congressionally funded projects such as last year's $315 million bridge from Alaska's Gravina Island, population 50, to Ketchikan, population 8,000, is making it more difficult for lawmakers to set aside targeted federal funds for projects in their districts. The current political climate is making it tougher for lawmakers like Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, to steer funds toward projects like the railroad bridges going up over central Wichita, which relied heavily on earmarked funds to get started.How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][4] [1]: http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/jul/05spec.htm [2]: http://www.saljournal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=8021&format=html [3]: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/state/14962764.htm [4]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed
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Comments
VoiceOfReason 6 years, 11 months ago
If there are Mexicans who have nursing degrees, hold a license, and can pass the requirements for nursing in the U.S., they would be more than welcome. They probably wouldn't be illegals because they have a skill that is critically low in the U.S, and would be allowed to immigrate legally. Without the number of foreign-born nurses in the U.S. now, we would already be in a dangerous situation...thanks to them, the critical point has been pushed back a few years. But the day is still coming where there simply won't be the nurses necessary to care for the aging population.
KsTwister 6 years, 11 months ago
Brownback is an idiot. There are nurses here who cannot get hired as easily as those on visas. This bum does not earn his paycheck...time to replace his seat in the Senate. Republicans are not listening to the people who put them in office. Vote Republican and kiss your country and jobs goodbye.
VoiceOfReason 6 years, 11 months ago
The only way you can have trouble getting hired, as a Registered Nurse, as an American, is if you have some sort of disciplinary action against your license or conviction. I have been offered every single job I have ever applied for and had to turn down about 10 times the number of jobs I've accepted. If I decided to go back to work right now, I could have 2 jobs within a week. The demand for nurses is so astronomical that even bad nurses, with questionable histories, can almost always have a new job within 2 weeks of being fired!
I'm not in suport of ILLEGAL immigration, but legal immigrants form the backbone of our nation. Foreign-born nurses have to meet or exceed every qualification that U.S. nurses do.
Next time you're in the hospital, complaining about the 5 minutes it takes the nurse to answer your call light, you might thank God for the influx of immigrant nurses here, or you'd be waitng 20 minutes, instead.
And, btw...Brownback IS listening to those who put him in office. That includes me and, by and large, he has represented us perfectly. If you didn't vote for him (and it seems obvious that you didn't), I would certainly hope that he isn't doing and supporting the things YOU want him to.
VoiceOfReason 6 years, 11 months ago
Oh...and check out the Classified ads on the right of the page. There are plenty of RN jobs for QUALIFIED and capable nurses.
KsTwister 6 years, 11 months ago
The point is and is proven that the US is importing nurses....who by and large will get the job for less money. Want more proof,just ask here. allnurses.com Your being outsourced by less educated staff, consider yourself informed. Just because you don't feel it in Lawrence does not deny the existance for the opportunity that you too may soon be working for less money. Good Luck
VoiceOfReason 6 years, 11 months ago
I've never worked in Lawrence. I worked in Kansas City. I turned down several jobs here because the pay is so low compared to KC...because it is a small town...not because of immigrants. And my pay was based on my skill...not on my nationality. Being in critical care provided me with a higher income than some others. I also have several good friends who came to the U.S. from southeast Asia as registered nurses. They made the exact same pay that I did, to the penny, as critical care R.N.s. They have excellent educations and are top quality nurses whom I would trust with my life. And that is really the measure of a quality nurse.
I am not being outsourced by anyone...much less "less educated staff". I don't accept as "proof" an article from a trade forum. Their purpose is to promote the agenda of U.S. nurses...like any union's job. The result is often propaganda and skewed "poll" numbers. I also don't need someone to tell me about my job market. I am in it.
I'm going to go way out on a limb...now correct me if I'm wrong...but you are either a nursing student, an LPN, or an ADN. I'm guesing LPN, based on your attitude. Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm betting I'm not.
Tell you what...I'm more than happy being able to set my own hours, work when, and if, I want to, and make $38 per hour, doing it. When that number falls, or even fails to increase with inflation, I'll get back to you and tell you that someone less educated is hurting my opportunities. Until then, you're just wrong.
KsTwister 6 years, 11 months ago
As I said, Not yet,but as others in industry have already seen the trend then you will also. And don't tell me you haven't already seen more elimination of LPN jobs. Go figure.
VoiceOfReason 6 years, 11 months ago
Now, if LPN positions are being eliminated, and RN positions are increasing, then aren't people being replaced with MORE educated staff???
KsTwister 6 years, 11 months ago
If your RN is from another country do you think they have had the same education requirements as others(especially in Kansas)? I already know the answer. Enough said
VoiceOfReason 6 years, 11 months ago
Holygrailale - AMEN! I've worked with some AWFUL nurses...every one from the U.S. I've worked with some truly wonderful nurses...some from the U.S. and several from the Phillipines and Taiwan. One of them is now an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) because she just finished her education for that. They are at least as qualified as any other R.N. I have ever worked with. I really don't care where a nurse comes from, as long as she (or he) is compassionate and qualified.
KS-Twister - You asked if R.N.s from other countries have had the same education(al) requirements as others...ABSOLUTELY. I have the feeling that holygrailale and I work with a lot more R.N.s than you do, because we are a lot more familiar with their qualifications.
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