Reed: 'This country needs Fatmas'

Reed and Fatma

Status holders with nursing diploma must go through a long process to be able to work in the Netherlands. Fatma Sahin (36) did it work? to overcome the barriers. 'Building a good network is the key.' The UAF linked her to mentor Riet Kuiperij (67). That resulted in a recovery-nurse op 

'Riet, I have news!' The conversation is already coming to an end when Fatma comes with her news. Mentor Riet grabs Fatma's hands and a moment later her mouth falls open. 'Really? Oh, that's fantastic!'

On January 1, the Netherlands will have one more nurse in recovery. In the St. Antonius in Nieuwegein to be precise. 'No wonder you get a challenging job in the hospital', Riet says a little later. 'You belong there!'

'It was a long shot', admits Fatma, who fled from Turkey to the Netherlands with her husband and children for political reasons in 2019. 'Not so long ago I thought: I will never be able to work as a nurse in the Netherlands.' The BIG registration is essential for this. In order to be included in the register of Professions in Individual Healthcare (BIG), nurses with a foreign diploma must take a tough professional test in which they demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Dutch diploma. Failing the test means an interview with the Central Information Point for Healthcare Professions. This executive organisation of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport advises the newcomer on a follow-up process to meet the requirements. An internship is often part of the advice.  

Although Fatma has a nursing degree from Sinop University and has seven years of experience in intensive care, she found the professional test to be a high threshold. 'The language gap was my biggest problem. I have to speak Dutch well and healthcare jargon is actually a language in itself, right? Moreover, the medical protocols are different, as are the role and position of nurses.'  

Status holders with a nursing background experience barriers in the areas of language, culture and professional differences. Riet: 'Precisely because staff shortages in healthcare are increasing, it is important that we use the knowledge and skills of these people. Moreover, they bring knowledge from other cultures. That is of added value to healthcare.' 

Mentorship 

Riet can look back on a rich career in healthcare and nursing vocational education. She was a lecturer at the post-HBO courses at Avansplus. As a mentor, Riet guided her mentee Fatma through the Dutch healthcare landscape. 'I am now retired. Mentorship is a great way to transfer my knowledge and skills and to create optimal opportunities for status holders. Moreover, I also experience this as an enrichment myself.' 

KIik 

UAF supervisor Mila paired Riet and Fatma. Mentor and mentee met for the first time at Baarn station. When they recall that moment, they both burst out laughing. 'It was a bit awkward,' Riet admits. 'I offered Fatma coffee, but it was Ramadan.' Fatma adds: 'And I didn't speak much Dutch. Still, we both felt a connection.' Riet nods in agreement. 'Fatma is talented, ambitious and a nurse through and through. That made it really cool for me too.'  

Door found 

And so began a joint mission. Riet visited Fatma every two weeks to map out the route. The breakthrough: the discovery that the course in the run-up to the professional test was given around the corner in Bodegraven. Fatma: 'When I heard that, it was as if a door opened and I saw the golden path. The energy started to flow. I had found my way!'  

With Riet, Fatma focused on the specific differences between the Turkish and Dutch healthcare systems. Fatma: 'I was allowed to ask Riet anything, even at odd times.' Riet: 'Sometimes I received text messages when Fatma's children were in bed and she had time to study on her own. “Riet, what is a hospice?” In the meantime, Fatma continued to work on her language skills and got a job as a blood collection specialist at Sanquin. In the spring, she passed her professional test and participated in the newcomers' program for talented healthcare professionals at the UMC Utrecht. 'Do I have a tip for other newcomers? It's all about a network, that's the key. A nursing mentor can make her network available and that opens doors. Our working relationship was special and it's a fantastic feeling to finally start as a recovery nurse.' 

In Fatma's network, Riet has taken an important place. In the reading café of the library in Leidsche Rijn, Riet tells that she is going to pick olives in France. Fatma shows photos of her three children. 'Look how fast the youngest has grown!'  

Substitute pride 

'I am proud of Fatma on my behalf', says Riet. 'I felt privileged that you were my first mentee. It is fantastic to be able to work with such an intelligent and powerful woman as you. This country needs Fatmas.' Fatma makes a waving gesture. 'Oh stop, my cheeks are getting red.' And then Riet and Fatma pull the phone. 'We are going to make an appointment to catch up.' 

Would you also like to become a mentor?

Are you an experienced nurse and, like Riet, would you like to mentor an ambitious status holder?

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