How Rostock recruits foreign healthcare staff to Germany | Focus on Europe

Summary

OK Lanfa, a Vietnamese intensive care nurse, shares her journey of overcoming language barriers and cultural differences to excel in her demanding job in Germany. Despite the challenges, she takes pride in her work, especially in a field where local professionals are scarce. The University Medical Center in Rostock, facing a healthcare worker shortage, has been training nurses from Vietnam since 2018, helping them integrate through language courses and cultural support. Lanfa's story reflects the broader narrative of foreign healthcare workers adjusting to new environments and contributing significantly to Germany's healthcare system.

Takeaways

• 😔 OK Lanfa, a Vietnamese intensive care nurse, finds her job demanding and exhausting due to the language barrier and the physical demands of her role.
• 🌟 Despite the challenges, OK Lanfa takes pride in handling tough jobs well and is recognized for her dedication in a field where few in Germany want to work.
• 🏥 She has been working at the University Medical Center in Rostock for nearly 5 years, having completed her nurse's training there and now also serves as an intercultural coach.
• 📚 Germany did not recognize her Vietnamese nursing degree, requiring her to retrain, and she had to adjust to providing care that includes personal hygiene tasks not common in her home country.
• 🔢 Germany is facing a shortage of around 25,000 healthcare professionals, leading to some hospital beds remaining empty even in relatively well-staffed facilities.
• 🌐 The University Medical Center in Rostock began recruiting from Vietnam in 2018, emphasizing smooth integration for new staff members, including language training and assistance with housing and paperwork.
• 🗣️ Communication can be difficult for non-native speakers like OK Lanfa, especially when dealing with older patients or on the phone where non-verbal cues are missing.
• 🏢 The city of Rostock has historical ties with Vietnam, once hosting up to 1500 Vietnamese residents, and this connection is evident in local landmarks like a Buddhist pagoda.
• 🏛️ The city's past includes a dark chapter with race riots in 1992, which are considered the worst in post-war German history, affecting the Vietnamese community.
• 🗳️ While some residents, like Vin Van Lam, feel at home in Rostock, the rise of the far-right AFD party in local politics could potentially affect the community's sense of belonging.

Q & A

What is the occupation of Lanfa?

Lanfa is an intensive care nurse.

What is the additional challenge Lanfa faces in her job?

Lanfa faces the additional challenge of working in German, a language she had to learn, and she often feels exhausted after her demanding job.

How long has Lanfa been working at the University Medical Center in Rostock?

Lanfa has been working at the University Medical Center in Rostock for nearly 5 years.

What additional role does Lanfa have at the University Medical Center?

Lanfa also acts as an Intercultural coach for newcomers.

Why did Lanfa have to retrain after coming to Germany?

Lanfa had to retrain in Germany because her Vietnamese Nursing degree was not recognized.

What cultural adjustment did Lanfa have to make in her nursing practice in Germany?

In Germany, Lanfa had to adjust to providing personal hygiene for patients, such as washing them, which is typically done by relatives in Vietnam.

What is the current shortage of healthcare professionals in Germany?

Germany faces a shortage of around 25,000 healthcare professionals.

Why did the University Medical Center in Rostock start looking for workers in Vietnam?

The University Medical Center in Rostock started looking for workers in Vietnam in 2018 to address the healthcare professional shortage.

What does the retraining program for new staff at the University Medical Center include?

The retraining program includes arranging housing, assisting with paperwork, and offering German courses that cover typical intensive care nursing scenarios.

What challenges does Lanfa face in communication with German patients?

Lanfa finds it challenging to understand older patients and communicating on the phone because she cannot see facial expressions or gestures to help her understand what is being said.

What historical connection does Rostock have with Vietnam?

When Rostock was part of East Germany, up to 1500 Vietnamese people lived there and were called 'fets AB', and their community presence is still visible today.

What is Lanfa's plan regarding her future in Germany?

Lanfa plans to stay in Germany, apply for German citizenship, and bring her boyfriend from Vietnam.