Prague clinic
offers perky incentives to nurses
Petra Kalivodova, like seven other nurses, signed up with
understaffed clinic for three years -- in exchange for the plastic
surgery of her choice. Kalivodova, who has worked at the clinic for
four years, renewed her contract and decided to reshape her body -
Photo: AFP/File/Michal Cizek
PRAGUE, May 26, 2009 (AFP) - The young nurse wore a polo shirt
instead of the usual sterile outfit, making a show of her perfect
breasts and stomach -- a gift from the Prague clinic where she
works.
Like seven other nurses, Petra Kalivodova signed up with the
understaffed clinic for three years -- in exchange for the plastic
surgery of her choice.
"The offer was definitely interesting," said Kalivodova, 31,
expertly placing a needle on a syringe as she posed for a
photographer in a neat, modern surgery at the Iscare clinic.
She could have chosen any other clinic in Prague as there is a
shortage of skilled staff. The Czech health system badly needs
6,000 nurses on top of the 90,000 it employs, according to data
from the Czech Association of Nurses.
But Kalivodova fell for the private clinic based in a fancy
glass-panelled office building and offering equally fancy
perks.
Jiri Schweitzer, Iscare's operations director, told AFP the idea to
offer free plastic surgery to nurses, doctors and secretaries was
decided last year.
The offer was never advertised. Managers mentioned the option
during interviews with job applicants and gambled on staff
spreading the word. It has worked like a dream.
Kalivodova, who has worked at the clinic for four years, renewed
her contract and decided to reshape her body. She already has a
breast implant which she paid for.
"It was a solution to my financial situation. It helped, because
the surgery is nowhere near cheap," said Kalivodova.
The clinic charges up to 75,000 koruna (2,850 euros, 3,900 dollars)
for a breast implant, about three months' average wages for a Czech
nurse, and up to 1,880 euros, or twice the average wage, for
liposuction treatment.
Clients from the United States and Western Europe find it cheap and
often fly to one of some 200 Czech clinics now offering cosmetic
surgery. The figure has risen from 61 clinics in 1997, according to
official data.
But the costs are exorbitant for local nurses, who often leave the
profession to take up better-paid jobs.
"The attractiveness of this profession is low and the supply of
other, less demanding work is big," Health Minister Dana Juraskova,
a former nurse, recently told the Respekt weekly.
"Working in an office, having the same money, less work and
responsibility -- that is simply far more comfortable," she
added.
Many Czech nurses have also taken up more lucrative jobs in
wealthier European Union countries in recent years.
Czech hospitals have in turn also looked east for replacements.
There are many Vietnamese in the Czech Republic but not many become
nurses because of the tough language requirements.
To lure staff, hospitals and clinics need different perks and
bonuses. The one offered by Iscare hit the bull's eye as the clinic
has rejected dozens of job applicants.
"I mentioned this to colleagues and friends, and the interest in
working here is huge," said Kalivodova.
A Prague daily newspaper ran a story on the offer and "dozens of
people seeking a job have reacted, including two doctors," said
Schweitzer.
"But we are fully staffed now," added the director, leaning back in
his leather chair and radiating an air of self-confidence.
Schweitzer said nurses at the clinic preferred breast implants,
followed by liposuction and tummy tucks.
He added the benefits could also be good for the clinic. "I can
imagine that a nurse at a plastic surgery ward who looks good will
make a better impression on the clients."
"And it is also good for the staff. They were dreaming about
looking better all their lives, and we enabled them to do it, so it
should affect their work too. It has been a success."
There is a minor catch. If staff leave the clinic before their
three-year contract ends, they have to pay the full cost of the
surgery.
The price is a powerful deterrent to leaving and there is the
"theoretical" option that a new three-year contract might produce
another surgical perk, he added.
"I don't know what will be in three years, but if I wanted to
undergo another surgery, I would certainly ask them to renew my
contract," said Kalivodova.by Jan Flemr