US visa reform for overseas nurses?

June 22 2009 by Gareth McConnell

US visa, Obama to back reform?

US immigration needs to attract immigrant nurses to work in the US to prevent skills shortages from worsening.

According to the latest figures, around 100,000 nursing positions remain unfilled in American nursing homes and staff hospitals - and the number could quadruple by 2025 according to some experts.

Too few Americans are interested in becoming nurses due to stagnated pay and poor conditions in some hospitals and the ageing workforce is also adding to the skills shortage.

There is now talk that a Bill put forward by Representative Robert Wexler in May, which would allow 20,000 additional US visas for overseas nurses from abroad, may be included in US immigration policy reform. President Obama is set to talk to Congress on this matter on 25th June.

Many hospitals, especially those in remote locations, claim they have trouble attracting nurses to work in their hospitals but say they would have no trouble recruiting immigrant nurses if more temporary US visas were available.

It seems that President Obama’s plans to reform the healthcare system may lead to an even greater need for nurses as he aims to provide treatment for a larger number of people.

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