Nurses: We have problems, but no one listens
Medical care stands on the shoulders of nurses," said one patient who receives monthly check-ups at a Kuwaiti public hospital. "They take care of everybody, so it seems.
However, nurses face problems and rarely are they heard when voicing their concerns about their own issues. From unfair salary rankings to understaffing, nurses in Kuwait feel frustrated and aggrieved by a system which does not listen to their concerns and does not respond to their needs. Shortages, overwork and unequal pay can lead to resentment and low morale at hospitals. This in turn undermines the quality of medical care patients receive.
Patients waiting outside their doctor's office have one thing to say about those who assist them: there's a shortage of nurses. "You go in a hospital and see two to three nurses in the morning and they are met by 30 or more patients," a Kuwaiti patient said.
One nurse, who has been working in the medical field for 37 years, agrees with such claims. "Whenever I submit a vacation request, they turn me down saying there won't be enough staff left if I take some time-off," said Noha, who would not give her real name. That, in turn, creates a burden on the medical system itself since nurses are 'overworked.'
Noha notes that the Ministry of Health offers 45 days for nurses as vacation time including the holidays but under her contract she receives 30 days. "Exclude holidays from those 30 days and I'm left with 25...I can't even take these days off since there is a shortage of required staff nurses.
This problem has been fairly addressed according to a retired Lebanese nurse. "There is no pressure at work anymore since they made people go to their assigned district hospitals requiring their civil ID," Mary said. She has worked in the medical field for over 15 years.
Meanwhile, some still believe they are being overworked. "We work so hard...some of us work nights as you know and so a vacation is in order," said one nurse who is currently working for a public hospital. "It gets frustrating."
A report prepared by the Ministry of Health's Nursing Staff Director Awatef Al-Qatten revealed that the administration plans to bring nurses from new countries like China, Indonesia, Jordan, and Syria to meet the shortage of nurses.
Some nurses' frustration derives not only from being overworked, but also being 'underpaid' compared to their Kuwaiti counterparts or young, newly-hired nurses.
"There is discrimination in pay because Kuwaiti nurses not only get paid more but get extra benefits," Mary said.
Many nurses like Noha agree with Mary saying that they understand the part about the benefits, but "why would someone get paid more when we both work the same hours?"
When it comes to pay, senior nurses are the one with the big complaint. "Those who have arrived here eight or 15 years ago get paid lower than those who have arrived a year ago," Noha said. She also added that even if they have the same degree and training, this difference in pay is unjustifiable. It has been reported that newly-hired nurses receive higher wages and nurses have been pressing on this issue since 2003.
Although nurses take care of patients and assist doctors, some of them complain about the treatments from their bosses. "All we ask really if for better treatment, " said one nurse.
Noha agrees with her saying that each nurse has her own special case, "I think they forget that we have our families. "I've been working for 37 years, people in charge need to be closer to the staff, especially in the medical field because it's hectic and requires a lot of effort from employees. We have been voicing our opinions of what needs to change or what is wrong, but no one listens, really," Mary said.
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