Nurses look for job opportunities in Fiji

SUVA (Xinhua) -- More overseas based nurses are showing interest in working in Fiji, according to Fiji's Director of Nursing Services Selina Waqa here Thursday.

 

They are receiving applications from nurses in the Philippines, India, Dubai, New Zealand and some other regional countries who are interested to work in the island nation, Waqa told media.

 

Waqa says local nurses who have undertaken work overseas are also applying for local positions as the status of nurses working in Fiji is being upgraded. But the Ministry of Health has strict guidelines to adhere to before these nurses are taken in.

 

"We register people according to their qualifications. The recognition of the nursing program that they had qualified in, not only that, we also look at work experience. Actually the whole credential work is looked upon when they submit their applications," she said.

 

The Ministry of Health believes that local qualified nurses should be employed first as they seek to take in another 170 nurses early next year.

 

The Nursing Decree 2011 repeals the Nurses, Midwives and Nurse Practitioners Act.

 

This came into effect on September 11 after it was gazetted by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

 

The decree requires all nurses, midwives and student nurses to be registered annually with the Fiji Nursing Council.

 

It states the Nurses, Midwives and Nurse Practitioners Board will become the Fiji Nursing Council.

 

The council, which will be made up of a chairperson appointed by the Health Minister and 10 other members, shall consist of all stakeholders including a member of the public.

 

The roles of the council under the decree would be to protect the health and safety of the public, promote training and education of nurses and issue, suspend and revoke annual nurses practicing certificates. Nurses from outside of Fiji who wish to practice in Fiji even for a short stint would also have to get registered.

 

The decree also caters for disciplinary proceedings and investigations into complaints against nurses and they could be expelled from their profession or even face a fine or jail term in accordance with the findings of the Professional Conducts Committee, which is also to be established under the Nursing Decree.

 

To co-ordinate and facilitate the continuing professional development of registered nurses, the Fiji College of Nursing would also be established.

 

Nurses from Fiji are always sought for the world over in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and the U.S. because of their friendly faces and caring attitude.

 

29 Dec 2011

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