By Leo-Felix Jurado

When I attended nursing school several decades ago in the Philippines, our teachers often reminded us that nursing isn’t simply a career. It’s a calling. Today, this sense of mission is sustaining us through the worst health care crisis we’ve ever witnessed.

Nursing is the exact opposite of social distancing. We provide comfort and care for patients, no matter how sick or contagious they may be. In their most vulnerable moments, when they are desperate for a kind gesture, we are there.

It’s been heartening to witness the world’s celebration of our work. We are honored by your cheers and applause, by the meals and cards dropped off at hospitals and emergency rooms. But in normal times, some of these health care heroes don’t receive enough support and respect. These are the immigrants helping fill the U.S. healthcare shortage in our country’s dire moment of need. When this crisis ends, I hope the public — and the government — will acknowledge the sacrifices they’ve made for America.

Under ordinary circumstances, immigrant healthcare professionals play a critical role in our industry. Nearly 16% of the country’s nurses and 22% of nursing assistants are foreign-born, according to New American Economy. In 2018, there were 6,630 DACA-eligible registered nurses, more than 5,800 nursing assistants and more than 4,500 licensed practical and vocational nurses.

Hospitals are short-staffed and desperate for workers, and that’s not even accounting for the looming shortages. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates we’ll need an additional 203,700 new registered nurses each year through 2026 to fill new positions and replace the 1 million nurses who are expected to retire by 2030. New Jersey is projected to fall 11,400 short of the 102,200 nurses we’ll need by 2030. That’s the third-worst estimated shortage in the nation.

We desperately need immigration reform to keep our pipeline full. This means protecting undocumented healthcare workers, including Dreamers, reinstating the H-1C visa program that brought registered nurses to the United States and even adopting a new Immigration Nursing Relief Act, like the one Congress passed in the 1980s to address the AIDS crisis. It was that legislation that brought me to Edison in 1988, at age 22. Just like today, we nurses were proud to help where we were needed. The program allowed us to become residents after five years and eventually apply for citizenship.

Today, I’m the chair of the nursing department at William Paterson University in Wayne, where I oversee more than 600 students. About one-third are minorities and many were either born abroad or are first-generation Americans.

All nurses are amazing people with big hearts and helping hands. Those who understand the immigrant experience have additional qualities that benefit patients. The hardships and challenges that many have faced, especially leaving their homes and adjusting to life in a new country, have given them a unique sense of empathy and compassion.

Research shows they are more likely to take nursing jobs in their communities, where their language skills and cultural knowledge improves patient outcomes. During my years working in hospital administration, I’ve seen many patients’ faces light up when they meet a nurse who speaks their language and understands their background.

Health officials are already talking about how they will plan for the next pandemic. But if we don’t have enough nurses on the frontlines, we won’t be able to meet our country’s most basic healthcare needs. Congress can alleviate future shortages by finding a legislative solution for Dreamers. And they should create another special visa program for foreign-born nurses like the one that welcomed me.

Tonight, let’s continue to cheer for nurses, regardless of where they were born. Tomorrow, you can count on us to be there for you.

Leo-Felix Jurado is professor and chair of the nursing department at William Paterson University in Wayne and executive director of the Philippine Nurses Association of America.

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