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& 2002 Harcourt P doi:10.1054/nedt.2 I am pleased to be invited to comment on a paper that is both topical and relevant to the nursing profession as it copes with a period of rapid globalization. The effects of recent events in New York and Afghanistan emphasize how interdependent the nations of the world have become. We now have a global workforce and the migration of key workers, especially nurses, has become a part of every day life. The authors base their paper on the knowledge and experience derived from assessing nurses' qualifications in Australia, whereas my comments are born out of personal knowledge and experience of working with overseas registered nurses in the United Kingdom (UK). However, this is not just an issue affecting wealthy Western countries. I would suggest that the paper be read in the context of a worldwide shortage of nurses. Wickett and McCutcheon's paper does not address the moral or ethical issues of international nursing recruitment, commenting instead on the causes of nursing shortages in developed countries (Australia, USA, Canada and the UK) and the practicalities of assessing the qualifications of applicants seeking registration in Australia. The Commonwealth Steering Committee (2001) are on record as saying that nursing and midwifery shortages in some countries are pronounced to the extent where they may potentially threaten the delivery of nursing and midwifery service. This needs to be addressing as a matter of urgency. The authors are right when they refer to countries competing globally for nurses. Competition is the driving force in the market place, but in most competitions the weak and disadvantaged usually lose out. The losers in this market place, where rich |
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