No matter where you reside in the world, being a nurse is to provide support and care for the sick and nourish empathy. In the recent past, with the surge of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a significant rise in the need for nurses in the healthcare sector all across the globe. One of the main reasons for the rise of nurses is that they are the ones who have the technical knowledge and the ability to cope with global epidemics.
Interestingly, the UK, the US, and Canada saw a high demand for nurses in the last couple of years, and that is solely not because of the pandemic.
Particularly for the nursing professionals from the Asian region who wished to pursue a career in the UK, US, or Canada, the pandemic has turned out to be a gift in disguise. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has been hiring as many nurses as it can due to a chronic labor shortage, according to nursing colleges and recruitment firms. Meanwhile, their work environments—both in terms of salary and hours of work—are considered superior to those in any other nation, including Sri Lanka.
The number of NHS nurses working in England has increased (over the last ten years). In December 2020 compared to December 2019, there were 3.5 percent more full-time equivalent (FTE) nurses and health visitors working in hospitals and community health services. Primary care nurses decreased by 0.5% in December 2020 compared to December 2019. When we consider longer-term trends, we can see that between December 2010 and December 2020, the number of hospital and community health care nurses increased by 9.3%.
The Times of India reports that 18% of NHS nurses in England claimed to have a non-British nationality as of January 2020, or they did not indicate a nationality at all. With 8.7% percent, Asian nationalities were the second-largest group after British nationalities. Nearly 94 percent of them were either Filipinos or Indians. Additionally, 6% of nurses indicated that they were EU citizens. 52 percent of these were either Irish, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Similarly, the US The Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that between 2018 and 2028, employment opportunities for nurses will grow by a much higher-than-average 12 percent. In fact, the registered nursing profession is among the top occupations anticipated to enjoy job growth through 2026, according to the BLS Employment Projections 2016–2026 report.
So what is the reason behind this high demand for nurses?
The rise of the ailing community
The most obvious reasons is that there is a subtle rise in the ailing community. The population is aging rapidly. According to the US government, by the time they reach retirement age, one in five Americans will require both preventive and curative medical care. To assist with patient care, doctors will rely even more on their nurses than they already do. In addition, more hospitals and other healthcare facilities are being constructed to accommodate more patients, which will result in a greater need for nurses.
Advancement of technology and development of new skills
Currently, only 55% of registered nurses in the United States have undergraduate or graduate degrees. To satisfy present expectations, that percentage must rise to 80%. There is a demand for twice as many nurses with doctorates since many are assuming new tasks and responsibilities, including leadership roles. The need for better-trained nurses who are tech aware and competent with electronic health records, charting, scheduled care, and even operating cutting-edge medical gadgets is also being driven by technology.
Job security
One of the key advantages of a nursing career in the NHS in the UK is that job security is nearly a given. Their need for healthcare services grows as individuals live longer. Therefore, more nurses are needed to support and help those in need of various forms of therapy.
The range of medical services offered is likewise expanding. For instance, as we develop better ways to support people dealing with mental health concerns, mental health services are growing. Additionally, more nurses are needed to support the efficient operation of each new healthcare service.
Shortage of professionals
There is a severe shortage of healthcare professionals in the UK, US, and Canada due to the sudden spike in individuals turning to other professions. At the present moment, there are 43,000 unfilled nursing posts in the UK. In Canada, there is a shortage of 24,000 nurses. This increase in shortage is because many have retired from their job after the pandemic due to heavy stress. So, the nursing industries in the UK, US, and Canada are facing have a high demand for nurses.
How does Amrak help young individuals seeking a nursing career in the UK, US, and Canada?
At Amrak we provide the necessary qualifications for aspiring young individuals to become registered nurses locally and internationally. We offer certificate courses, diploma courses, and degree programs for students which help them to pursue a career in Sri Lanka as well as in the UK, US, and Canada.
Our Clinical Fellowship program is specially designed for individuals hoping to go abroad. The Clinical Fellowship Program (CFP) is an award-winning training program that offers opportunities for nursing staff to gain experience in a range of clinical specialties by working with leading Trusts including the NHS Partner Organizations. This program is offered to both UK and International applicants seeking expert clinical experience for an advanced career progression. Through this program, nurses are able to advance their career in a range of specialties including Medicine; Surgery; Trauma/ Orthopaedics; Critical Care, or Theaters.
Head to our website at www.amrak.lk for more information on the course program and requirements.
Or call us now at +94-112-140-222 or email us today at [email protected]
