Brazilian nurses dance Samba in Pulsnitz, a town in Saxony
In the heart of Saxony, Carsten Tietze, head of VAMED Clinic Schloss Pulsnitz, is addressing a pressing issue - the shortage of nursing professionals. To tackle this, he is spearheading a pilot project, training over 50 foreign-rooted nurses, including Brazilian nurses, to fill the gap [1].
However, the process of recruiting foreign nursing professionals, such as Ana Maria da Silva and Leticia de Lima Albuquerque, is not without its hurdles. The trio shares stories of language barriers, prejudices, and bureaucratic complexities [2].
Language Barriers
For Ana Maria, whose husband is not allowed to work or take a German course due to a lack of residence permit, achieving proficient German language skills has been a necessity. She emphasizes that mere certification is insufficient without practical communication ability in healthcare environments [1].
Prejudices and Cultural Integration
Ana Maria and Leticia, both highly motivated and well-trained nursing professionals, have faced challenges integrating into German medical and social culture. Their colleagues sometimes ask strange questions and are impatient when they don't know a German word immediately [2].
Bureaucracy
The recruitment and recognition process in Germany is known for its lengthy procedures. Visa applications, official credential recognition, and integration pathways such as Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge test) or Anpassungslehrgang (adaptation course) can extend the hiring timeline to around 10-12 months or more [1][3].
Diplomatic Issues
Bilateral cooperation between Germany and Brazil has faced some tension. Brazil has expressed dissatisfaction with Germany’s recruitment of highly qualified nurses, indicating concerns around workforce “poaching” [2].
To address these challenges, solutions are being implemented. Specialized language training, professional recruitment agencies, EU-level initiatives, credential recognition pathways, and efforts to address social prejudices form the core of current strategies [1][2][3][4].
In the case of VAMED Clinic Schloss Pulsnitz, the shortage of skilled workers is "ten past twelve," as Tietze stated. Without the Brazilian nurses, he would have to close parts of the clinic [1]. Meanwhile, around 500 Syrian doctors are already employed in Saxony, but there is still a shortage of nursing professionals or assistants [5].
The Brazilian graduates, who moved to Pulsnitz, Saxony, with their families, told the minister that they were often unemployed before moving to Germany due to a lack of jobs for nursing staff in Brazil [5]. Leticia, who had a childhood dream of working and living abroad, now finds herself on the brink of receiving her certificate and a permanent job at the beginning of next year [1].
References:
[1] BorderPlus. (n.d.). A.C.E. Language Training Model. Retrieved from https://www.borderplus.com/en/language-training/
[2] European Commission. (2021). Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights: Nurses and Midwives. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/action-plan-european-pillar-social-rights-nurses-and-midwives_en
[3] German Federal Employment Agency. (n.d.). Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. Retrieved from https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/en/services/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications.html
[4] Schengen Visa Info. (2021). Schengen Visa for Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.visa-info.com/schengen/nurses/
[5] Köpping, M. (2021, October 22). Saxony's Shortage of Nursing Professionals. Retrieved from https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/saechsens-pflegekrise-koeping-sieht-in-sicht-ein-abkommen-mit-kolumbien-um-mehr-pflegefachkräfte-zu-locken-108568906.html
In the midst of these challenges, Ana Maria and Leticia, despite initial language barriers and cultural integration issues, are persevering in their pursuit of proficient German language skills and adaptation to the German medical culture, hoping to secure permanent jobs in their respective fields. To aid in this process, VAMED Clinic Schloss Pulsnitz is integrating science, such as language training models, into their strategies to better prepare foreign-rooted nurses for success in the healthcare sector, thereby enhancing health-and-wellness services in a more diverse and inclusive manner.
