Debated in Parliament on 7 Nov 2016.
Ms K Thanaletchimi asked the Minister for Health (a) how are foreign nurses' qualifications being verified; (b) how are they tested for competency and emplaced in our healthcare system to ensure patient safety; (c) how are the foreign nurses treated if they fail to pass their probation; (d) whether these nurses can be retained by allowing them to work in the step-down care sector or nursing homes; and (e) whether the Ministry can help in this transfer effort when foreign nurses from various healthcare institutions do not meet the mark.
Foreign nurses need to meet the requirements set by the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) before they can practise in Singapore. Those who wish to be registered with SNB have to fulfil four requirements.
First, they must be found suitable and offered employment by our local healthcare institutions.
Second, they are required to sit for and pass the SNB’s Licensure Examination conducted in English for either Enrolled Nurse (EN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
Third, they must meet the minimum standards in English language proficiency, demonstrated through passing recruitment interviews and the SNB's Licensure Examinations.
Finally, foreign RNs will be assessed on the job during the probation period of six to twelve months before they are "confirmed".
SNB conducts direct source verification of the professional qualifications of overseas-trained foreign nurses. This is done by requiring the foreign nursing educational transcript to be sent directly from the foreign educational institution to SNB.
Foreign nurses who do not meet SNB's standards to be registered as RNs may be considered for enrolment as ENs, but they need to work under the supervision of RNs. Those who are not able to meet SNB's requirements to be RNs or ENs can be hired as support care staff.
RNs, ENs or support care staff can work in different care settings, including step-down care facilities and nursing homes. However, regardless of the settings, they need to meet the respective job requirements to ensure appropriate patient care and safety. The decisions on employment and transfer of care staff are made by the respective healthcare institutions as they are in the best position to assess their suitability.
PAPERCUTS