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

DW News

31 Aug 202405:55

Summary

TLDROK 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.

Outlines

00:00

👩‍⚕️ Vietnamese Nurse's Journey in Germany

The first paragraph introduces Lanfa, a Vietnamese nurse working in the intensive care unit at the University Medical Center in Rostock, Germany. Despite the physically and mentally demanding nature of her job, she takes pride in her ability to handle tough tasks, especially since the job is one that Germans are often unwilling to undertake. Lanfa has been in Germany for nearly five years, having completed her nursing training there after her Vietnamese nursing degree was not recognized. She has had to adjust to different care practices, such as providing personal hygiene for patients, which was a cultural shock initially. The medical center faces a staff shortage, with around 25,000 healthcare professionals needed nationwide. To address this, the center has been recruiting from Vietnam since 2018, offering a retraining program that includes language courses and assistance with housing and paperwork. Lanfa also serves as an intercultural coach for newcomers. The paragraph touches on the historical presence of Vietnamese people in Rostock and the community's resilience, including the opening of a Buddhist pagoda and a sunflower mural commemorating a dark chapter of race riots in 1992.

05:02

🌐 Lanfa's Adaptation and Future Plans

The second paragraph delves into Lanfa's personal life and her adaptation to living in Germany. She rarely feels homesick, having made German friends through her work. Lanfa emphasizes the importance of learning the local language for those living abroad, expressing disappointment in those who have been in the country for years without learning German. As she approaches her five-year mark in Germany, she is looking forward to applying for German citizenship. Her plans include staying in the country and bringing her boyfriend from Vietnam to join her. The paragraph highlights the challenges of language barriers, especially when communicating with elderly patients or over the phone, and the efforts made to overcome these through practice and training.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Intensive Care Nurse

An intensive care nurse is a specialized healthcare professional who provides care to critically ill patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). In the video, Lanfa is described as an intensive care nurse, highlighting the demanding nature of her job. This role is crucial as it involves managing life-supporting equipment and administering complex medical treatments, which is particularly challenging for Lanfa due to the language barrier and cultural differences she faces in Germany.

💡German Language

The German language is a West Germanic language primarily spoken in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. Lanfa, originally from Vietnam, had to learn German to work in Germany, which is a significant challenge as it is not her native language. The script mentions her exhaustion after work and the pride she feels in handling tough jobs, which is amplified by the need to communicate effectively in a non-native language.

💡Intercultural Coach

An intercultural coach is someone who helps individuals from different cultural backgrounds to communicate and interact effectively. Lanfa acts as an intercultural coach for newcomers at the University Medical Center in Rostock. This role is important in the video's narrative as it shows her adaptability and leadership in bridging cultural gaps, which is essential in a diverse work environment.

💡Healthcare Shortage

A healthcare shortage refers to a situation where there is an insufficient number of healthcare professionals to meet the needs of the population. The video mentions that Germany faces a shortage of around 25,000 healthcare professionals, which results in some hospital beds remaining empty. This shortage is a significant issue that affects the quality and availability of healthcare services, and it is part of the reason why the University Medical Center in Rostock looks to train and recruit staff from abroad.

💡Retraining Program

A retraining program is a series of educational and training initiatives designed to help individuals acquire new skills or update existing ones, often in response to changes in the job market or industry requirements. The University Medical Center in Rostock has a retraining program for staff from abroad, which includes housing, paperwork assistance, and German language courses. This program is crucial for the integration of new staff and is highlighted in the video as a key factor in the successful recruitment and retention of foreign workers.

💡Cultural Adjustment

Cultural adjustment is the process of adapting to a new culture, which can involve changes in behavior, attitudes, and values. Lanfa had to adjust the care she provides, as the expectations for nursing duties in Germany differ from those in Vietnam. For example, in Germany, nurses are expected to provide personal hygiene care, which was initially embarrassing for her but became normalized over time. This adjustment is a significant part of the video's narrative, illustrating the personal growth and professional development Lanfa experiences.

💡Language Barrier

A language barrier refers to the difficulty in communication due to differences in language. Lanfa faces a language barrier as she communicates with German-speaking patients and colleagues. The video script mentions that she has to concentrate when speaking with Germans and struggles with understanding older patients or when speaking on the phone, where non-verbal cues are not available. Overcoming this barrier is essential for her professional success and personal integration into German society.

💡Integration

Integration in the context of the video refers to the process of becoming part of a new society or culture. The University Medical Center's approach emphasizes helping new staff members integrate smoothly, which is crucial for their long-term success and job satisfaction. Integration is not just about language proficiency but also includes understanding social norms, work culture, and building relationships within the community.

💡Workforce Acceptance

Workforce acceptance refers to the degree to which employees are welcomed and valued within an organization. The video discusses the challenge of making sustainable gains in healthcare staff without losing the acceptance of the workforce, which is important for maintaining a positive work environment. This acceptance is particularly relevant when considering the recruitment of foreign workers and the need to ensure that they are well-integrated into the existing team.

💡Citizenship

Citizenship in this context refers to the status of a person recognized under the law of a sovereign state or local jurisdiction, which grants certain rights, privileges, and duties. Lanfa plans to apply for German citizenship after five years in Germany, which signifies her intention to fully integrate into German society and highlights the importance of legal status for immigrants seeking long-term stability and opportunities.

Highlights

OK Lanfa, a Vietnamese intensive care nurse, faces the challenge of working in German, a language she had to learn.

Despite the demanding job, OK Lanfa feels proud of handling tough tasks well.

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

She completed her nurse's training in Germany and acts as an Intercultural coach for newcomers.

The job of a nurse in Germany is considered difficult, with a shortage of healthcare professionals.

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

She had to adjust the care she provides, including personal hygiene tasks that were not part of her role in Vietnam.

Germany faces a shortage of around 25,000 healthcare professionals, leading to unfilled beds at hospitals.

The University Medical Center in Rostock began looking to Vietnam for workers in 2018.

The Medical Center's approach emphasizes helping new staff integrate smoothly.

The hospital ensures not to overload current staff with too many different nationalities.

Up to 25 young people from Asia, mostly women, receive training at the hospital each year.

The Clinic's retraining program includes housing, paperwork assistance, and German courses.

OK Lanfa finds it challenging to understand fast German speech and has to concentrate during communication.

Older patients or phone conversations without visual cues can be particularly difficult to understand.

The city of Rostock has a history of Vietnamese community presence, with up to 1500 Vietnamese living there during East Germany times.

A Buddhist pagoda opened near the University Medical Center, symbolizing the Vietnamese community.

The 1992 race riots in Rostock were a dark chapter in German history, targeting immigrant workers.

Vin Van Lam, a long-time resident of Rostock, reflects on the changes and current political climate.

OK Lanfa rarely gets homesick and has made German friends through her work.

Language learning is crucial for living abroad, as emphasized by OK Lanfa's experience.

OK Lanfa plans to apply for German citizenship and bring her boyfriend from Vietnam after five years.