ENGLAND

Government proposes pension changes to help ‘bolster NHS workforce’

The government has launched a consultation on potential changes to the NHS pension scheme in England, which it claims will enable staff to work more flexibly up to and beyond retirement age.

Proposed changes include the introduction of a partial retirement option that ministers say would enable older staff to work while accessing part of their pension and continuing to contribute to their pension pot.

Limits on the number of hours recently retired staff can work would also be removed under the changes. Special legislation introduced in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis had made it easier for recently retired NHS staff to return to work and respond to the pandemic without suffering a penalty on their pensions or having their hours restricted.

News Source: Nursing Times

200,000

more nurses are needed in the
USA in the next ten years.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

4,000

more nurses are needed in New Zealand
to fill the staffing void in 2023.

Source: The New Zealand Nurses Organization

4.3 million

nurses are needed in India
by 2024 to meet WHO norms

Source: World Health Organization

INDIA

Rise in demand for India-trained nurses after the pandemic

Following a lull over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, government data now indicates a continued sharp rise in the demand for nurses trained in India from several countries, including Ireland, Malta, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, the U.K. (Wales), and Belgium.

India ranks second after the Philippines in the number of nurses working overseas for better employment opportunities, higher salaries, and other benefits.

Currently, there’s a growing demand for nurses, especially in the ambulance services, critical care, mental health, and geriatric care sectors. There’s also a demand for medical technicians.

News Source: The Hindu

PHILIPPINES

As the pandemic eases, more Filipino nurses set to seek work abroad

More Filipino nurses, attracted by higher salaries abroad, are set to leave their country as coronavirus border controls ease and hiring becomes more aggressive, putting the Philippines in a tight spot in dealing with its shortage of health care workers.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September said he wants to increase the cap on the number of nurses allowed to go abroad annually from the current 7,500, but that the government at the same time must strive "to improve opportunities domestically."

The cap is a policy the Philippines implemented in 2020 to retain enough nurses to fight the pandemic at home. It has since been eased in stages.

News Source: The Japan Times

8.03

nurses per population of 10 thousand
people in the Philippines.

Source: Statista Research Department

3.37%

increase in Registered Nurses
year-on-year for 2022 in the UK.

Source: Nursing & Midwifery Council

23,444

nurses who trained outside the UK joined the NMC
register between April 2021 and March 2022.

Source: Nursing & Midwifery Council

GHANA

Strengthening nursing & midwifery education key to improving quality healthcare

Strengthening nursing and midwifery education is essential to improving the quality of health services in Ghana, the Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has said.

That he said, would also ensure that nurses and midwives were empowered, and their roles developed to enable them to play a major part in spreading Universal Health Coverage (UHC) rapidly, cost-efficiently, and to a high level of quality.

"Nurses and midwives must be trained and educated to conduct relevant research and translate research findings into practice to promote best practices and improve health outcomes," he stated.

He added that the critical role of nurses and midwives as committed healthcare providers with a broad range of responsibilities and contributions to the realization of valuable healthcare had been acknowledged globally.

"It is therefore important for Ghanaian nurses and midwives to go the extra mile to ensure excellent quality in the services they provide, and this can be best achieved through research and innovative practices," he stated.

News Source: All Africa

USA

Robots being tested to assist with the nurse shortage

Between burnout, retirement, and a growing aging population, there may not be enough nurses to handle the rising
demand. One answer may be robots. Not to replace RNs but to help them in tasks that take their time away from patients. One of them is Moxi, a robot that may fast become a nurse’s new best friend.

From retrieving supplies, delivering food, and running for meds, Moxi is paving the way for robots in healthcare.

Moxi uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to roam halls and navigate people. Equipped with three locked drawers and an automated arm. Right now, Moxi is in 100 hospitals throughout the country, but there is concern robots may replace humans.

A survey of nurses who worked with delivery robots found that roughly half worry that robots represent a threat to their jobs. Right now, robots in healthcare are only utilized for repetitive, time-consuming tasks, without patient interaction. And experts believe robots roaming the halls may be one of many solutions to a growing healthcare crisis.

News Source: KPLC News

Our esteemed alumnus, Kalpana Gambhir provided us with an insider scoop on her journey. Let this be an opportunity to gain direction and advice from a successful leader in her field that can give insights into the path to success.

Kalpana is an accomplished graduate of nursing programs from our partner institutions and a successful professional in her field. In the conversation to follow, she shared her invaluable experience, the highs, the lows, and all the lessons learned along the way.

In which year did you go to Canada as an international student?

In 2013, I achieved a notable milestone by graduating from PGIMER in Chandigarh. Shortly thereafter, my thrilling journey of studying abroad began with an international student visa to Canada.

Why did you choose to advance your nursing career in Canada?

After graduating from India with a job offer already in hand, I decided instead to pursue the potential of greater opportunities abroad. So, Canada it was - and here I have experienced 5 years of growth beyond expectation. With hard work come great rewards, such as being able to buy my own home. That is something that wouldn't be possible back where I came from due to intense workplace conditions coupled with trauma and cultural biases making success much more difficult despite the excellent experience gained there first-hand.

What can international students keep in mind before going to Canada?

Students embarking on the journey of continuing nursing education abroad should be especially mindful when selecting their college. Even if they are fortunate enough to secure admission into highly regarded Canadian institutions, a strong academic foundation will ensure that all steps beyond remain firmly placed along a path toward success and prosperity in life.

When international students make plans to work part-time while studying, they must remember that with sound knowledge come great opportunities.

Making the right decisions during your educational journey is paramount. Choosing an education consultant for guidance along this path should be done with care and consideration. For me, INSCOL was a great choice as their team was always there to provide prompt answers when needed - no matter how big or small my query may be. They strive to ensure support in every aspect of their student's experience here in Canada- from choosing courses to pastoral needs, ensuring success on each step taken towards the future you want.

Anything specific you would like to share about your journey so far?

Greeted with a challenging journey, newcomers to Canada know that working hard is key to achieving their dreams. Despite the immense physical and mental strain from changing houses and cities numerous times in 5 years, as well as taking on 18-19 various jobs, I was determined to keep going.

During my lowest moments, I always kept at heart one simple truth: everything will eventually work out and it's not necessarily 'the end of the world'. My family members were an invaluable source of inspiration throughout this period, and they taught me how essential surrounding oneself with positivity can be when staying so far away from home.

Did you feel you had to go way beyond your comfort zone to make new friends?

Not really, because most of my friends are my colleagues. Having a close-knit circle of friends is far more valuable than attempting to build an expansive network. A few confidants whom you can trust with your troubles will bring much greater rewards in the long run, as opposed to being surrounded by many acquaintances who may end up demanding more energy and attention than they are worth.

What should be considered while choosing the nursing program to pursue in Canada?

When selecting programs to pursue, choose ones that offer a wealth of clinical hours as these are critical for meeting eligibility requirements for licensure exams and valuable in terms of providing hands-on experience with aspects such as documentation, procedures, and assessment.

Has your family played an important role in your journey?

My mother's presence has been a comforting constant throughout the more difficult times of my life, especially during the
night shifts when I was feeling anxious and seeking familiarity. Her working experience of 37 years as a charge nurse at PGI Chandigarh always helps me in terms of being able to talk through situations with someone who can truly understand them.

Her red flags have proved immeasurably helpful for comprehending new scenarios and navigating work dynamics on
foreign land. The significance that family plays in one’s life is never diminished by distance; it remains incumbent upon children living abroad to keep their loved ones informed about ongoing struggles which may otherwise go unnoticed amid great distances.

Any tips for students preparing for the licensure examinations?

While the RPN exam is a manageable challenge, passing NCLEX-RN requires ambitious preparation and dedication. To ensure success in this examination, it's essential to carve out ample study time at least 5-6 months before taking it; practice answering as many questions as possible while familiarizing yourself with its language structure.

Consider dedicating your daytime hours towards working so there will be enough energy left for studying after office hours
or during the night times. Once you have completed the rigorous test of NCLEX-RN, job opportunities are more accessible due to the enhanced credibility associated with being certified by such an esteemed institution.

How has INSCOL played a role in your journey?

As a student, I was fortunate to have the support of INSCOL. They provided trustworthy guidance throughout and were an essential resource for me. The immersive experience offered by the INSCOL Foundation Program (IFP) classes proved incredibly useful in preparing me with vital skills needed upon entering Canada. Not only did they offer invaluable education, but also went above and beyond when I relocated from Brampton to Ontario in December 2016, despite challenging winter conditions! One of their team members came to pick me up from the airport and chauffeured my belongings safely while Manpreet Ma’am arranged excellent accommodation within Kitchener with perhaps the friendliest family imaginable.

Through INSCOL, I've had the privilege of recommending numerous friends and even my brother to fulfill their dream of studying nursing abroad. Thanks to its strong connections with top-notch institutions across Canada, students can pursue an education that exceeds expectations.

Timeline of Kalpana’s journey:

Convocation ceremonies at Seneca College & Niagara College

Exclusive Convocation Ceremony for INSCOL nurses at Seneca College in Canada.

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