Recently, health centers in Prauge have solved their staffing issues by promising plastic surgery procedures, such as breast augmentation and liposuction as hiring bonuses to nurses. The Czech Republic is currently experiencing an extensive nursing shortage, causing some health care companies to get creative with their incentives.
Both private clinics and hospitals are losing nursing staff to neighboring countries due to low wages and a low public perception of nursing left over from days gone by. According to a recent article in the New York Times, nurses in the Czech republic often make less than bus drivers and are commonly judged on their appearance as much as their clinical skills. A spokeswoman of the Czech Nurses Association said in the article, “The problem is that the public still perceives nurses as they were represented in communist-era television shows: as low-level workers who emptied bed pans and cleaned hospital rooms.” One nurse claimed to have been asked to walk in a straight line, as though on a catwalk, in a recent interview for a nursing position.
Plastic surgery isn’t the only incentive being offered to lure nursing staff by health institiutions in the Czech Republic. German lessons, extra vacation time, childcare and automobiles are other bonuses nurses can choose. The plastic surgery option, however, is proving to be a popular, yet controversial one. 10 out of 50 nurses at one clinic chose the plastic surgery option over other incentives. Some say the offer is no different than other incentives, such as vacations or cars. But others, such as gender studies expert Jirina Siklova disagree, saying health institutions offering plastic surgery as an incentive lose all credibility.
Though the nursing crunch is a global issue, being experienced throughout Europe and the United States, Prauge seems to be the only city, as of yet, offering breast augmentation and liposuction as a hiring bonus to nurses.
For those considering plastic surgery, such as liposuction, eyelid surgery or breast augmentation, San Jose plastic surgeon Dr. Lowen offers great information on his website. Or, to find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area, consult plasticsurgery.org.
