Ghanaian nurse who works in UK reveals her life changing journey after she left Ghana
A Ghanaian nurse who works in Birmingham has revealed her inspiring journey and the ways in which the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK has changed her life.
To explore new chances and make more money to support herself and her family, Nana Yaa (not her real name) made the decision to pursue her career in Britain. Yaa claimed that she has always wanted to change the healthcare industry and give patients better care.
In an interview on Accra-based Citi FM on Thursday, August 3, Yaa said the salary made it difficult for her to fulfil her true potential in Ghana.
She took the risky step of moving to the UK to build a better future for herself and her family because she was determined to make a difference in the world and in her field.
She claimed that since moving, she has been able to save enough money, and she advised other nurses who wish to leave Ghana and work in other hospitals to take the risk and do so.
“You are paid based on shifts. So even if you are paid 15 pounds an hour and you work for 12 hours a day, four times a week, you multiply it that’s how much you earn. If I make 2800 pounds a month and I pay a tax of say 500 and pay my rent, I can still save around 800 pounds.”
Her remarks follow a BBC story claiming that the “brain drain” was having a negative impact on Ghana’s health system.
There are reports that many specialized nurses have emigrated from West Africa for higher-paying positions abroad.
More than 1,200 Ghanaian nurses registered with the UK’s nursing board in 2022.
This occurs at a time when the National Health Service (NHS) is progressively hiring personnel from non-EU nations to fill open positions.
