Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services says the allocation of hours for nursing students depends on availability and seniority.

That comes after VOCM News spoke with a nursing student, who asked to remain anonymous, who says she has been informed by the long-term care facility she planned on working for this summer that her hours were no longer available due to full time permanent staff being brought in from Dubai.

The student, who is heading into her third year of nursing school, was left frustrated by the situation.

She says she depends on getting those hours so she can pay for her tuition in the fall. The student says she wants to stay in Newfoundland, but the situation could force her to leave and potentially find work as a travelling nurse to help pay for the unexpected expenses.

Debbie Molloy, Vice President of Humas Resources with the Health Authority, clarifies that there are no nurses from Dubai in the province yet, although it is hoped they will be soon. Once they are in the system they are treated the same as all other workers, she says.

Molloy states they have worked with the union to create a reserve list of students who could potentially pick up hours in the summer, however people are called in based on seniority.

She says if people have limited availability then they are the last to be called in. so while she can appreciate the student’s frustration that is how the system works.