Sunday, June 12, 2005

Nursing

Most of you would have known about Singapore's push for the Life Sciences, and how that had attracted many students to take up that course in the local polytechnics/universities.

Maybe I am a bit slow, but I got to know from a friend working in one of the local hospitals that nursing is THE HOT course for the day. Many retrenched/mid-career professionals (some with MBAs) are taking up diploma/degree courses in Nursing and are being deployed to work in the healthcare institutions. Now, if you are to go check up WDA's website, nursing is counted as one key areas the government is targetting for out-of-work/at-risk-of-retrenchment workers. If you meet the criteria they set, you might even be able to get sponsored (aka free ride) for the nursing SMCP (Healthcare) course.

The word on the street is that nursing is the passport for migration. There is a worldwide shortage of nurses right now, and I know for a fact that the US, UK and Australia offer an accelerated path for potential immigrants with nursing background/experience. I am guessing the situation is the same for the other developed countries. Singapore's reputation for her nursing education will put one in a good position for emigration, much better than being an engineer or a life scientist. The pay is also reasonably good (overseas). At least you won't have hordes of PRCs or Indians fighting with you for that job (yet). That being said, don't just do it for the money/passport.

2 comments:

brama said...

yes, I understand that nursing can get u a PR in some countries. But nursing is not for me.

tscd said...

Nurses in Singapore don't get enough respect. Some of the nurses working here in the UK have experienced nursing in Singapore and they get treated badly by doctors as well as patients there. Over here, they actually feel part of a team and that their opinions matter. And they get paid more.