New Surinamese nurses

New Residents

New residents were able to arrive again. This group of 11 Surinamese healthcare professionals filled the gaps in the schedule, and with full staffing, much more was possible once more.

The pressure on healthcare personnel in the Netherlands is very high. The major shortages in healthcare are causing overload, too few hands at the bedside, and higher absenteeism. Foreign healthcare professionals are one of the solutions, but this does require something of the healthcare organization. Even though they have completed equivalent training and speak Dutch, they will still have to learn many new things. Different reporting systems, different protocols, and outspoken Dutch family members who all have an opinion about it.

It is therefore important that they are properly welcomed. On the one hand, CareVisie helps with this. Think of suitable housing, the purchase of bicycles, good guidance, opening bank accounts, taking out insurance, naturally all legal permits, and, where necessary, a confidential advisor.

On the other hand, the healthcare organization is also responsible for this. After all, they are employed by them. For instance, it is important that they are allowed to be supernumerary for 6 weeks. Not that this is always necessary, but it is important to take the pressure off. It is also very useful to offer a buddy. That is a colleague they can turn to with any questions. Not just work-related, but especially personal ones. A lot is different in the Netherlands, so it is nice when they have an easy way to ask questions.

This group got off to a great start, and I still run into them occasionally when I visit Limburg.

-Ton