In a bizarre game of chance, thousands of Zimbabwean nurses have invested nearly US$2,000 each in pursuit of greener pastures abroad, only to be left high and dry without the crucial verification letters needed to seal their fate. It’s like buying a lottery ticket and striking out.

Over 6,000 nurses have thrown their hats into the ring, paying a non-refundable US$300 application fee to the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe. But as they wait with bated breath for their verification letters, many are left wondering if their dreams of a better life abroad will ever materialize.

The journey to migrate is a costly one, with nurses shelling out cash for English proficiency tests (up to US$640), UK Nursing and Midwifery Council registration (US$180), lab blood tests (US$165), tuberculosis screening (US$65), and training, internet, and travel expenses (approximately US$100). And if they fail the English test, they’re out of luck – and money.

“It’s like throwing money into a bottomless pit,” says Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo. “Some nurses have attempted the English test multiple times, racking up bills of up to US$2,000 or more. It’s a financial burden that’s crushing them.”

The current system has been criticized for being unfair and demoralizing, leaving nurses feeling frustrated and disillusioned. With many healthcare professionals already overworked and underpaid, the added stress of navigating a dysfunctional migration process is the final straw.

As one nurse lamented, “I’ve spent over US$1,400 and still, no verification letter. It’s like my money vanished into thin air.” The Nurses Council of Zimbabwe’s silence on the matter has only added to the uncertainty, leaving nurses wondering if their sacrifices will ever pay off.

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