A recent survey by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has revealed that 93 per cent of student nurses are considering emigrating upon receiving their nursing degree.
“Many student nurses feel a better life awaits them abroad,” USI President Kevin Donoghue said.
“Countries with a huge shortage of nurses such as England, America and Australia are actively recruiting Irish nurses, some are even offering them positions before they’ve finished their final year. If the Irish government fail to educate and maintain their health professionals, it risks repeating the mistakes of the 1990’s when past generations of newly qualified nurses had no option but to emigrate,” Donoghue continued.
In excess of 600 Irish students of nursing were surveyed and 564 of those students conveyed that they have contemplated emigrating after they qualify in their profession. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) recently raised a number of issues with the Department of Expenditure and Public Reform regarding the treatment of student nurses with particular emphasis on pay and contracts.
Katie O’Neill
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