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Discuss this article (23 Comments)Emiratis snubbing careers in nursing - college dean
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 05 August 2009
CARING ROLE: Emiratis are snubbing careers in nursing despite there being a shortage of nurses in the UAE. (Getty Images - for illustrative purposes only)
Nursing colleges in the UAE are failing to recruit Emirati nurses, despite government-funded sweeteners including full scholarships, the dean of a prominent nursing school has claimed.
Dr Vijaya Kumaradhas, dean of Ras Al Khaimah College of Nursing, one of the country’s largest nursing schools, has said Emirati students remain significantly under-represented - a fact that is contributing to the country’s nursing shortage.
“There is a definite shortage, but Emiratis will not become nurses. There is a stigma where nursing is concerned. In our college, we don’t have any local student.” she said.
The RAK facility, which opened to students in 2006, has yet to receive a single Emirati student.
“I’m not sure what else can be done to encourage them. The government is trying; there are full scholarships. But nursing is a hard profession. It’s not an easy career, so perhaps they aren’t motivated,” said Kumaradhas.
According to the most recent figures from the Ministry of Health, Emiratis comprise less than 10 percent of the national nursing population.
Of the seven emirates, Sharjah has the highest percentage of national nurses at around 13 percent. In Umm Al Quwain, only four of the emirate’s 212 nurses are nationals.
The UAE, which is almost entirely dependent on expatriate health workers, has battled a nursing shortage for decades. The latest statistics from the World Health Organisation reveal the Gulf state has a ratio of 3.5 nurses per 1,000 population.
By comparison, the UK and USA have 12.8 and 9.4 nurses respectively per 1,000 population.
“We are too dependent on expats,” said Kumaradhas. “We need to produce our own nurses, to help staff the workforce.”
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Posted by John Davis, United States on Monday 12 April 2010 at 12:37 UAE time
According to the most recent figures from the Ministry of Health, Emiratis comprise less than 10 percent of the national nursing population.
Vocational Nursing Program California
Posted by John Davis, United States on Monday 12 April 2010 at 12:37 UAE time
According to the most recent figures from the Ministry of Health, Emiratis comprise less than 10 percent of the national nursing population.
Vocational Nursing Program California
Nursing wrong profession for gulf women
Posted by Dr. Tedie Hudson, RIyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday 31 August 2009 at 17:44 UAE time
Nursing has also had problems in Saudi Arabia. IT IS CULTURAL! As a nurse they must clean the naked bodies of both men and women, assist with bathroom problems both of which are culturally unacceptable for a muslim girl in this culture. Even the patients dont accept them to clean them as they perfer a foreigner . Additionally, the working hours are typically 12 hour shifts and some night. Families worry about their daughters/wives out late alone. One other factor is the communities are very sensitive about people knowing their personal health problems. I have found many people dont want my female saudi assistant to even look at their files for fear of gossip in the community. So patients dont want local nurses and local women find the profession unappealing. I think until you change the entire culture ( unlikely) you have to live with foreigners doing this job.
Posted by Dr. Tedie Hudson, RIyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday 31 August 2009 at 17:44 UAE time
Nursing has also had problems in Saudi Arabia. IT IS CULTURAL! As a nurse they must clean the naked bodies of both men and women, assist with bathroom problems both of which are culturally unacceptable for a muslim girl in this culture. Even the patients dont accept them to clean them as they perfer a foreigner . Additionally, the working hours are typically 12 hour shifts and some night. Families worry about their daughters/wives out late alone. One other factor is the communities are very sensitive about people knowing their personal health problems. I have found many people dont want my female saudi assistant to even look at their files for fear of gossip in the community. So patients dont want local nurses and local women find the profession unappealing. I think until you change the entire culture ( unlikely) you have to live with foreigners doing this job.
Snubbing Nursing Jobs
Posted by Jere, Doha, Qatar on Monday 31 August 2009 at 11:30 UAE time
It's not just in the Emirates that locals are snubbing nursing...it's all over the GCC. There are only a handful in the entire region. There are so many reasons that they shun the profession. It entails touching bodies, much intermingling with males, and for some, would mean that they would leave the profession when married anyway. As long as beliefs remain the same, nothing will change and they will be dependent on expats. They have to buck up and see this for themselves. I've worked in the Middle East as a nurse for many years and have yet to see reform on this issue.
Posted by Jere, Doha, Qatar on Monday 31 August 2009 at 11:30 UAE time
It's not just in the Emirates that locals are snubbing nursing...it's all over the GCC. There are only a handful in the entire region. There are so many reasons that they shun the profession. It entails touching bodies, much intermingling with males, and for some, would mean that they would leave the profession when married anyway. As long as beliefs remain the same, nothing will change and they will be dependent on expats. They have to buck up and see this for themselves. I've worked in the Middle East as a nurse for many years and have yet to see reform on this issue.
To GR
Posted by Idris, Dubai, UAE on Monday 10 August 2009 at 08:53 UAE time
Oh c'mon woman. I didn't actuallly mean to put just nursing in the same profession... doctors, nurses, municipal workers, anyone regardless of their degrees, salaries, grades or anything should demand the same level of respect and I am sure the lower levels dont get it at all... n you know it too.. I am a Sales manager myself but I do not think that I am any better than a cleaner or anyone. everyone has a part to play in society.. you just think that you are better just because you have a degree or have 30 years of experience. I will write this iN CAPITAL LETTERS so that you know what I am talking about coz you seem to be getting defensive for no reason. i AM NOT TARGETTING THE NURSING PROFESSION HERE AT ALL, ITS A NOBLE PROFESSION, ITS THE MINDSET OF THE PEOPLE HERE THAT I DONT AGREE WITH WHEN IT COMES TO LOWER LEVEL JOBS OR PROFESSIONS LIKE MUNICIPAL WORKERS OR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. GOT IT GRRRRRRR....
Posted by Idris, Dubai, UAE on Monday 10 August 2009 at 08:53 UAE time
Oh c'mon woman. I didn't actuallly mean to put just nursing in the same profession... doctors, nurses, municipal workers, anyone regardless of their degrees, salaries, grades or anything should demand the same level of respect and I am sure the lower levels dont get it at all... n you know it too.. I am a Sales manager myself but I do not think that I am any better than a cleaner or anyone. everyone has a part to play in society.. you just think that you are better just because you have a degree or have 30 years of experience. I will write this iN CAPITAL LETTERS so that you know what I am talking about coz you seem to be getting defensive for no reason. i AM NOT TARGETTING THE NURSING PROFESSION HERE AT ALL, ITS A NOBLE PROFESSION, ITS THE MINDSET OF THE PEOPLE HERE THAT I DONT AGREE WITH WHEN IT COMES TO LOWER LEVEL JOBS OR PROFESSIONS LIKE MUNICIPAL WORKERS OR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. GOT IT GRRRRRRR....
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