Recruiting immigrants for long-term care nursing positions.
Recent immigrants and workers in foreign countries are two groups frequently identified as potential sources of new workers for nursing positions in long-term care (LTC). Recruiting workers directly from other countries, either permanently or temporarily, is difficult because of restrictive visa classifications; is unlikely to impact significantly the worker shortage; and may have risks that outweigh the potential rewards. On the other hand, with targeted recruitment and retention efforts, the nation's rapidly growing immigrant population (the so-called "New Americans") can become an even more important source of labor for frontline LTC workers. To be successful employees in LTC, however, New Americans will have to overcome a variety of cultural and language barriers. Equally important, the institutions and agencies that comprise the LTC system must exhibit a higher level of sensitivity to cultural differences. Efforts to recruit, train, and retain New Americans for positions in LTC present win-win opportunities and should be expanded.
Priester
Reinhard
R
Center on Aging, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA. pries001@umn.edu
Reinardy
James R
JR
D000069:Acculturation; D000368:Aged; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005551:Foreign Professional Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000379:methods*; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce