All Aboard! Welcoming Rapid Recruits Into Healthcare

The sea of healthcare is unsettled right now. In varying states of flux around the world, we are either inundated and struggling to stay afloat or, for the more fortunate, cautiously waiting. Full of hope and dread until the status quo changes for better or for worse.

A proactive approach to dropping anchor, however, appears to be haste. Accelerating the pathways that enable graduate paramedics, nurses, midwives, doctors and other health professionals to join our ranks, before the vessel we travel upon, together, begins to sink.

Numbers are already dwindling as frontline care providers step into new positions arising from pandemia. Countless others cannot perform traditional roles due to medical issues that render them highly vulnerable to COVID-19. Some struggle with stress and exacerbated mental health issues. Several had already tired of the environment, the workload and the morale, so plans to jump ship have been moved forward. Sadly, many have become sick, and some are tragically dying.

Whether we like it or not, our numbers must increase right now, before the growing gap in every healthcare workforce begins to take its toll. There are strong opinions out there, however, both for and against, fast-tracking qualifications and streamlining induction into the ranks. 

When there are no options, it falls to us to knuckle down and roll with the changes. If we voice outrage now and throw spanners in the works of rapid recruitment drives, it will ultimately fall to us to carry the load for a long time to come. If patient numbers are not decreasing, staff numbers cannot afford to either.

So what are some of the for and against comments floating around both online and onboard?

"They know nothing!" 

Some have completed university degrees, tertiary diplomas and various other courses with numerous real, live frontline placements and highly specific education. Others have spent weeks, months or years in training. Whatever the back story, all newcomers are in the unenviable position of being thrown in at the deep end. Be kind. Find out what they do know. Ask if there's anything they need help with. 

"How lucky to avoid the length of study and training that used to be mandatory."

Newcomers may wish that they'd had the same level of opportunity to study and train before having to jump in feet first. Be kind. Find out whether they feel prepared. Ask what it will take to help close any perceived gap in knowledge. 

"Their appreciation of safety will be minimal!"

Despite streamlining and reducing some of the hours afforded to workplace safety, in many instances, class sizes have been much smaller. Perhaps this more focused approach has been beneficial, we won't know until we try. Be kind. Find out which aspects of risk, hazard, manual handling and equipment training were thoroughly covered. Ask whether a refresher in the workplace would be useful.

"Why should they get the same pay, when they didn't do the same entry courses?"

Why shouldn't they? Anyone doing the same work, for the same number of hours, in the same workplace, deserves the same remuneration, give or take any increase based on length of service. Spare a thought for those receiving trainee rates, despite being thrust into the frontline of a pandemic along with everyone else. Be kind. Find out if they understand the payment and associated structures. Ask if they'd like assistance in navigating the finer points specific to each organisation.

"They're so inexperienced."

No matter the age of any new staff member, they are all adults. We, too, were inexperienced when we began, and we each hoped that we would be taken seriously. After all, it takes drive and self-motivation to pursue any role renowned for its challenging nature. Many of our most experienced predecessors entered into patient care with the bare minimum of training. This is rarely held against them all these years later, so let's not hold it against those joining us now. Be kind. Find out about previous life and work experience that may complement a new position. Ask what other life skills may be beneficial in the first few unsettling months.

"It's cheating the system."

If it feels like the system has been cheated, in any aspect, then so too has each newcomer. Cheated out of things that their predecessors were allowed to take for granted. Cheated out of well-deserved breaks between periods of intense training. Cheated out of the experience of live assessments. Cheated out of traditional celebrations post-completion. Cheated out of mental preparation time before leaping into new hands-on careers. Be kind. Find out whether they feel cheated. Ask what may help to ease disappointment or trepidation. 

For any student, intern or graduate about to set sail, this may be daunting to read, but rest assured that such comments are a minority sentiment. If port were "for" and starboard was "against" a sudden influx of new staff, the entire remaining deck is full of those adaptable to, accepting of and nonplussed about the change.

It is advisable, however, is to pick a catchphrase in response to any cutting comment similar to the above. Rehearse it, get familiar with it. Keep it in a top pocket for ease of use when hostility pervades conversation around accelerated employment. Use it as standard, let it offer protection against becoming affected by the opinion of any negatively geared discussion.

It may not seem necessary in safe, calm seas, but that well crafted, finely honed, polite and concise one-liner may be the lifebuoy that prevents near-drowning in choppy waters.

For those who have long since embarked and fully settled, any hint of an archaic "eat our young" attitude is inexcusable. We have known this for decades and now is the time to drop it for once and for all. Instead, we can choose to help new staff aboard and enjoy the breath of fresh air that accompanies each intake. 

Our new colleagues will occupy the same berths, with no free pass into first-class life. They're being thrown down into the hold to get stuck in with everyone else, ready or not. An unenviable position.

(First published on GBU Paramedic Blogger site 20th May 2020)