It has to go in a custom footer (not html module) to work*. The source, which also has some interesting thoughts on the desirability of disabling right click, is below: http://javascript.about.com/library/blnoright.htm *Using in a custom footer:replace all code in xslt box with this: ]]>

QUICKLINKS : CHAT RULES / PINOYBSN FORUM

Monday, April 27, 2009

Be wary of the RN contract trap

-- ATTY. ROBERT REEVES, OFW GUIDE

For many foreign nurses (RNs) the chance to immigrate to the US is the opportunity of a life time. For so many, immigrating to the US is the reason they went to nursing school and took up the profession. Many others, such as marketing majors, physicians, computer engineers, etc. have switched professions to become nurses in order to immigrate to the US.

The shortage spurred the growth and creation of hybrid industries such as nurse registries and temporary nursing staff companies. These types of companies assign nurses on a temporary basis with their client hospitals, medical facilities, and private homes.

A nurse working for one of these companies for example, might find herself working at Hospital A for 2 days out of the week and Hospital B for 3 days. Then, a few months later, working 4 days for Hospital C. The RN goes wherever her employer has been contracted to provide services. She is not an employee of the hospital, but rather the registry company.

Because of the shortage, various RN employers (hospitals, agencies, RN staffing companies) heavily recruit for RNs overseas. Foreign RNs who wish to immigrate are delighted at the opportunity the recruiters offer and are often all too eager to sign up.

While this path may be one of the easiest ways to immigrate, it is not without its pitfalls. Employment-based sponsorship means the RN will be allowed to immigrate if the RN intends to work on a permanent basis for the petitioning employer. This is a critical condition of immigrating that carries consequences if not fulfilled.

During the typical recruitment process, the RNs are promised sponsorship in exchange for working for the employer. Contracts are prepared and representations are made regarding the nature of work, type of work, place of work, working conditions and wages. Many RNs are so eager to immigrate, they do not carefully read these contractual documents, ask serious questions regarding the terms and conditions, or have the contracts reviewed by their own attorney.

In the excitement of the prospect of immigrating to the US many RNs are seduced with the notion that the dream job awaits them in the US. For some this is true, but for many, it has drastic consequences. The RNs gloss over the contracts and assume an attitude of, "I’ll deal with it later."

The most common contractual clause that wreaks havoc on an immigrating RN’s life is the breach of contract damages clause. Most contracts typically require the RN to work for a specific number of years and failure to do so triggers the damages clause. The damages can range from $15,00 to $50,000 dollars!

Many RNs signing these contracts are unfamiliar with the litigious culture in the U.S. Some come to the U.S. and find the working conditions and salaries they were told they would receive are not the same as represented when first recruited. Some conditions are so unbearable.

For example, being placed in graveyard shifts in hospitals far from home. Or, not being placed in any hospital and collecting no salary while the sponsor tries to obtain a new client for the RNs placement. Many of these RNs then leave their employers and this is when additional tragedy strikes.

The employer begins a campaign of harassment and may sue for breach of contract and obtains a judgment against the RN for the penalty amount. The judgment typically comes with a wage garnishment order. This means the RN’s new employer is required to pay a portion of the RN’s wages to the sponsor to cover the judgment. Because RNs are in a licensed occupation requiring a reporting of where they work, it is very simple for the sponsor to locate the RN and exact the judgment.

But, worse than a breach of contract is the possible immigration consequence. The RN has obtained permanent residency because she stated she intends to work on a permanent basis for her sponsor. By leaving or changing employers shortly after entering the U.S., she has now opened the door for the Immigration Service to revoke the green card! Some employers immediately notify the Immigration Service when an RN leaves exposing the RN to possible green card revocation and deportation.

For many others, the immigration consequence comes several years later when the RN is applying for U.S. citizenship. The Immigration Service reviews the basis of the green card and determines how long the RN worked for her sponsor. If it determines that the RN has only worked for a short period of time, it may begin revocation and deportation proceedings against both the RN and her family members who obtained green cards through her.

These tragic consequences can be avoided by careful review in the beginning. For many of those currently in the position, there is still immigration and contractual relief available. The U.S. Constitution prohibits slavery and indentured servitude and because in many cases the sponsoring employer breaches the contract, the employee is not liable for any damages. This core constitutional value is the basis for providing relief to those forced to leave their sponsors. This will be the subject of our second part of this article.

Author's Note: The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the individual legal research and personalized representation that is essential to every case. - OFW GUIDE


source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/158704/Be-wary-of-the-RN-contract-trap

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Re: Letter Campaign in Support of Philippine Nurses’ Appeal for Fair Assessment

Hi,

I am an author of a blog as well which is visapinoy.blogspot.com, can you please post this petition regarding unfair and discriminatory approach of New Zealand Nurses Council for 2nd courser nurses of the Philippines. It would be very big help if we spread our hands with this fellow nurses.

Thank you,

"Cgt"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/supportphilnursespeakout/

Re: Letter Campaign in Support of Philippine Nurses’ Appeal for Fair Assessment

Dear Friends,

In the last few weeks, the problems of Philippine nurses over the registration process in New Zealand have been brought to public attention. Philippine Ambassador Bienvenido Tejano reported that there are about 50 “distressed" overstaying Filipinos in New Zealand, many of them nurses who were denied registration by the Nursing Council.

There could be more if the Philippine nurses currently applying for registration will also be declined because of the Council’s view that Filipinos who took up nursing as a second course are not good enough to be registered in New Zealand. Thus, on behalf of Philippine Nurses Speak Out! and Migrante Aotearoa New Zealand, we appeal for your support for the Philippine Nurses’ Urgent Appeal for Fair Assessment. Attached herewith is our petition.

One letter writer to the Philippine Senate, New Zealand national, Bill Marshall, noted: "Based on my personal experience, having been a patient in Middlemore Hospital heart ward, I can say Thank God for nurses from the Philippines. It has occurred to me that our hospital system (in New Zealand) could risk collapse without the contingency of Filipino nurses that we have. Filipino nurses deserve our respect."

We are hoping that a letter campaign across and beyond New Zealand will impact on the Nursing Council of New Zealand to consider our appeal. If you believe in the competence of Philippine nurses, we ask you to demonstrate your support by sending your own short personal message or by adding your signature to a general letter supporting our campaign. Please indicate if you are an employer/superior/client of Filipino nurses/healthcare assistants/caregivers.

If you choose to send a personal message to the Nursing Council, you may email to:

andrea@nursingcouncil.org.nz, oseas@nursingcouncil.org.nz,
admin@nursingcouncil.org.nz.

Kindly furnish copies to: migrante_nz@yahoo.co.nz and nurse_pinoy@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much.

RUBY LAT
Philippine Nurses Speak Out!

AMIE DURAL
Migrante Aotearoa New Zealand

* Second coursers are those who completed degrees in Biology, Psychology, Dentistry, Medicine, Engineering, Education and others before taking up Nursing, thus already gained credits and finished Nursing in less than four years.

LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR PHILIPPINE NURSES' APPEAL FOR FAIR ASSESSMENT

We, the undersigned members of Filipino communities and concerned citizens around the world, together with employers, superiors and clients of Filipino nurses/healthcare assistants/caregivers in New Zealand, endorse the petition for fair assessment of Filipino nurses applying for registration in New Zealand.

We urge the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) to consider the positive feedback of New Zealanders on Filipino nurses/ healthcare assistants/caregivers.

We ask you to recognise the knowledge and skills of Filipino applicants currently in New Zealand who hold nursing as their second course.

We believe that Filipino nurses currently stranded in New Zealand, whether they are "second coursers" have served New Zealand's health institutions competently. They deserve to be registered and be able to practice their profession as nurses.

Petitioners (for SUPPORTERS of Philippine Nurses Speak Out! Campaign)



PBSN Forum


Photobucket 

- Video and Image Hosting

Archives

Links