Dear Editor,

It is frustrating to see repeated claims that Jamaica faces a nursing shortage when, in reality, the situation is far more complicated.

I personally sent out over 35 applications across public and private institutions over the past six months, following every piece of advice given to new graduates — “Apply everywhere, public, hotels, schools, clinics, private institutions” — yet the majority of these applications have gone unanswered. The harsh truth is that without available vacancies, no amount of applications guarantees employment. Right now, I have to work at a call centre while I wait to be called for a nursing position.

Many are led to believe that after leaving nursing school hospitals will automatically hire graduates because “nurses are needed”. Hospitals may need nurses, but they do not always have the budget to hire. Human resource personnel at a regional health authority confirmed that only a few nurses are hired, usually to replace someone who has left or retired. Preference is given to individuals with at least one year of experience. The reality is that general nursing is currently oversaturated; the shortage exists only in specialised areas.

If the Government truly wants to address shortages in specialised areas, investment in targeted training programmes is essential. Until hospitals are properly funded, the problem is not a lack of nurses — it is a lack of available, budgeted positions. Prospective nurses deserve accurate information so they can make informed career choices.

A newly registered nurse