Brazilian Nurses Dance Samba in Pulsnitz, Saxony
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In the heart of Saxony, Germany, a group of foreign nurses, including Ana Maria da Silva and Leticia de Lima Albuquerque, are undergoing specialized training to join the German healthcare system. Despite the challenges they face, these nurses are making a significant contribution to addressing the critical nursing shortage in the region.
Ana Maria, a graduate nurse from Brazil, holds a university degree in nursing, having completed a five-year program. She and Leticia are preparing for a year of training before receiving their certificates and permanent jobs at the beginning of next year.
The clinic where Ana Maria works provides substantial support to foreign nurses, but some colleagues ask strange questions and are impatient when the nurses do not know specific German words immediately. This is just one of the many challenges these nurses face.
Minister Petra Köpping, the Social Affairs Minister in Saxony, acknowledged these challenges, citing language barriers, prejudices, resentments, and the distance from families as factors that make recruiting Brazilian nurses difficult. However, she expressed her happiness about the support of foreign nurses in Saxony, particularly the Brazilian nurses.
Köpping also mentioned that around 500 Syrian doctors are already employed in Saxony, and she stated that recruitment of specialists must improve. By 2031, Saxony will be short 5,000 nurses, while the population is aging.
To address these challenges, Köpping suggested establishing ethical recruitment agreements between Germany and Brazil, providing comprehensive support for language acquisition and cultural orientation, simplifying bureaucratic procedures, and enhancing social support and workplace inclusion.
Carsten Tietze, CEO of the VAMED Clinic Schloss Pulsnitz, is leading a pilot project to train Brazilian nurses. He currently has over 50 employees with foreign roots and emphasised the severe shortage of skilled workers. Without the Brazilian nurses, he would have to close parts of the clinic.
Leticia, like Ana Maria, shares that it has been her childhood dream to work and live abroad. She agrees with Ana Maria, stating that they have a lot of knowledge and want to work, but society does not see that enough yet. Minister Köpping reported on reservations on the Brazilian side: They now want a two-way interaction and not just the departure of well-trained personnel.
A collaboration with Leipzig University is planned, from which Brazil could benefit. Minister Köpping also mentioned an agreement with Colombia is in sight to attract more nurses. Despite the challenges, the recruitment of foreign nurses, particularly from Brazil, is crucial in addressing the nursing shortage in Saxony.
References:
- Diplomatic tensions due to Germany’s aggressive recruitment amid Brazil's own healthcare needs
- Experiences of stress and disorientation among recruits and systemic obstacles such as visa processes and professional registration requirements
- Practical challenges for nurses relocating from Brazil to Germany, including language proficiency requirements, visa and work permit processes, securing housing, and managing family arrangements such as childcare
- Germany is experiencing a critical shortage, with over 200,000 nursing vacancies
Science and health-and-wellness are crucial aspects in the nursing training of foreign nurses like Ana Maria da Silva and Leticia de Lima Albuquerque, as they undergo specialized training to join the German healthcare system. Minister Petra Köpping, in her efforts to address the critical nursing shortage in Saxony, plans to establish ethical recruitment agreements between Germany and Brazil, providing comprehensive support for language acquisition and cultural orientation to ensure the success of these health professionals.
