Amy works as a nurse and serves as the ward manager at a public hospital in Hong Kong. Juggling her demanding job, she is also a mother of two young kids.
In Hong Kong, there is a challenging work environment for nurses, as revealed by statistics provided by the Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff, which contributes to Amy’s constant fatigue. The nurse-to-patient ratios in Hong Kong are currently alarming, standing at 1:11 on average, and during flu season, they can escalate to as high as 1:16. The situation worsens during night shifts, where the ratio reaches an even more challenging 1:24. It’s worth noting that international recommendations suggest a much lower ratio of 1:4.Compounding the issue, Hong Kong is grappling with a growing nursing shortage crisis. Consequently, there are instances where nurses, including Amy, find themselves working relentlessly for 10 consecutive days without any breaks. This demanding schedule adds to the already strenuous conditions nurses face in Hong Kong’s healthcare system.
Amy’s decision to migrate to Australia was influenced by the smooth application process, driven by Australia’s unprecedented need for qualified healthcare workers. After her move, Amy experienced a significant improvement in work-life balance. In Australia, nurse-to-patient ratios were much more favorable, with 1:4 for morning and afternoon shifts and 1:7 for night shifts. The Australian healthcare system prioritized the well-being of healthcare workers, promoting a balanced lifestyle and allowing Amy to enjoy her personal life outside of work.
The healthcare system in Australia is very flexible with reasonable nurse-to-patient ratios. There is high flexibility in scheduling, allowing nurses to arrange their shifts according to personal preferences.This positive change allowed Amy to engage and spend quality time with her kids since they are her priority. She claims to have no regrets about immigrating here. “I have no regrets immigrating to Australia!”