Racism against nurses

Having left hospital less than a week ago, I read with dismay the article about the racism suffered by migrant nurses.

During my six-day stay I was intrigued to encounter only two evidently New Zealand-born nurses. As it was during the nurses’ strike this seemed clear evidence of the need for more pay to the nursing sector in order to attract local women and men to the occupation as well.

In the main the overseas-trained health care professionals whom I had contact with were pleasant, efficient and had excellent, easy to understand English. We are lucky to have them, to plug this evident hole in the essential work force.

There were some difficulties eg inappropriate administration of drugs, but I attribute these to inadequate in-hospital training and protocols; and in some cases personality differences which could happen just as easily with a NZ born and trained nurse.

I believe there is no excuse for rudeness to those who seek to care for us. Such behaviour is racist and ignorant. However I also acknowledge that when we are sick and vulnerable, fear can turn to aggression. At such times we are most likely to long for the reassurance of someone who appears to be like ourselves and therefore differences of colour, culture and even age can be challenging; particularly when this “other” person is entering the intimacy of our bed space.

Time to grow up and out of racism; pay our nurses enough to attract a variety of personnel and meantime be grateful for those who come from overseas to work in this underpaid, essential profession.

Meg McMillan, Mt Eden.