Nursing in Singapore

[A-nurse]

How easy is it for a western nurse/midwife to get part-time work in Singapore?  Is there a shortage in Singapore like everywhere else?

[i have tried]

Hi there
It's not as easy as you would think
Isent my resume to all the large hospitals and was blatantly ignored.I got the impression they were not interested in expat nurses.
The fact you are also a midwife however is a good thing.
Places like the International Medical Centre and the specialist mother and child clinics aimed at expats may be interested in you.There are 2 I know of, one in Tanglin Mall and one in Tanglin Shopping Centre.
Another place I found was interested was The NKF, they also take on expat nurses.
Good Luck to you
Sarah

[Salsxa]

Hi There,

I also had no responses from the major hospitals in Singapore but found work at the National Kidney Foundation as a registered nurse. There is a shortage of nurses at the NKF at the present time and i have been told by my colleagues that they are always looking for staff. You need no experience in dialysis they train you as you go.

I am unsure about the shortage of midwives in Singapore though so i am unable to help you there.

Good Luck

[Marshall.]

Have tried,

What is your specialty/experience? I was under the impression there is still a severe nursing shortage in S/pore so quite surprised at your experience. Any reasons given when you rang up the hospitals?

[I have tried]

Hi Marshall
I just sent my Cv out everywhere and didn't get any response.
Then when I spoke to a few people" in the know" they said that the hospitals wouldn't be interested in me. I think a big issue is being able to speak a local language.
I dont need to work right now and have taken the opportunity to do a bit of study in something new.
Perhaps if I had been really persuasive and determined , chasing up on my CV's a bit more. I may have had more interest I dont know.
(BTW I am renal trained,with 10 yrs + exp.)

[marshall.]

Yes, lack of a local language skill is a disadvantage. It may be surprising but many patients, especially the elderly, may not have good English skills. Locally most patients would speak Mandarin or a Chinese dialect. Even if you know these problems can occur with certain rare dialects or with Indian or Malay if no staff member speaks that language. But given your experience this would work in your favour, especially in a large hospital ward where you would probably have another to help out with any language difficulties.

[karened]

Hi - if you are interested in NKF we hire Expat nurses and language is not a problem. We have Dialysis Programmes with (UK) University Accredited education programmes in the specialty. Also Prevention Programme (Health Screening and Health Promotion Programmes and Nurse Managed clinics specialising in diabetes and hypertension) this is supported by education programmes offered by NYP (local). Also for those who do not have nursing qualifications at tetiary level we offer a BSN Conversion Course Programme with an Australian University. For Dialysis Services we prefer to offer full-time employment, but for the Prevention Programmes full-time and casual work is available.

If you want more information email me with contact details.

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[salsxa]

Please let me know how you get on A -nurse i would be interesed to hear it!  
Thanks

[angryamerican]

Am I alone in my thinking, but would hospitals in SARS countries hesitate from bringing a nurse such as myself from the US to Singapore.  Is hiring in Singapore health care slowing as a result of SARS?
How long would anyone anticipate before Singapore medical field pays as well as Brits or U.S.?