US – desperately seeking 100 NZ nurses

Release By Core Communications For Geneva Health

A leading Texan hospital is looking to entice up to 100 New Zealand nurses into the US healthcare system.

Deanna McKinney, senior vice president of the Covenant Health System said the severe nursing shortage being experienced by the US makes it impossible to recruit enough nurses locally and the organisation has to look outside the country.

“We have recruited from New Zealand previously with great success. Kiwi nurses who have come here have settled in well and have played a significant role in the hospital.

“We are always very impressed with their level of training and ability to quickly adapt to US conditions.”

Ms McKinney said that facilities at the state-of-the-art Lubbock hospital were among the best in the US, and that there were definite benefits for visiting nurses in terms of gaining experience, as well as enjoying excellent employment conditions.

Serving more than a million people in the surrounding areas, the hospital has more than
1200 licensed beds and operates an air ambulance service with both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

Lubbock itself is a city of about 250,000 people located in West Texas near the New Mexico Border. Major cities like Dallas and Houston are about an hour’s flight away, and ski fields in New Mexico and Colorado are within driving distance.

Jo Wallis, chief executive of Geneva Health International - the company searching for the people to fill the Texas jobs - said that while the numbers being sought by the Texans are high, it was not at all unusual to have overseas hospitals chase New Zealand nurses.

“Worldwide, there is a growing shortage of trained nurses. New Zealanders still have the reputation of being able and willing to turn our hands to whatever is required – which makes us highly sort after internationally.

“Add to that the excellent reputation of our training programmes and there’s no doubt that many of our international clients would be more than pleased to see a squadron of Kiwis in their hospitals,” she says.

Jo, herself a former nurse, believes the international placings also provide an excellent opportunity for some paid ‘OE’.

“New Zealand nurses can learn some great skills, enjoy excellent US working conditions and bring the experience back here. Our industry benefits as well as the overseas hospitals.”

Geneva Health International (formerly Lampen Healthstaff and Medstaff International) is a specialised recruitment company focusing on the health industry. With hub offices in Auckland, Wellington and London, and a growing presence in Australia and Canada, Geneva serves clients around the world.

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