There are a few things that appeal to me in life. Some are as simple and straightforward as the giggle of a toddler. Others are as dear and elusive like cloves and rubies. Others are a mesmerizing combination of the two. The ability to have a little corner of the interwebs just for me is the latter. This blog allows me to speak my unspoken, to plough my virgin land of thoughts and sentiments.

The fact that I can swing from teaching a rather complex aspect of dialysis into full-blown information aimed at nurses still marvels me. Today we talk. Nurse to nurses. Perhaps nurse to mothers and fathers of nurses.

Coming to the United Kingdom for most nurses in Kenya is not a first priority. Many see the UK as a steppingstone for countries like the US, Australia and Canada. Very few nurses actively plan to come to the UK. Take me for instance. I was not coming here. I was going to the US of A. Uncle Sam was calling me by my three names. Now that I landed here, I do not want to leave. At least not yet. That is not the point. The point is, other countries appeal to Kenyan nurses because first and foremost, they arguably, pay better than the United Kingdom.

Hold your horses owners of amazing agencies. I need to address this one. You can pelt me with stones later.

Introducing the Black Tax

I am yet to meet a friend in the UK who does not send money back home. If the money is not for a piece of land for her parents, then it is to educate his siblings, or buy medications for his old, frail and sickly parents. That, dear reader, is the Black Tax.

Black Tax has seen many nurses impoverished. Even when they work and live in Kenya, majority of nurses have staggering bank loans which are key to financial survival. The wages of a Kenyan nurse in Kenya is an insult when you think about Black Tax. The main goal for any human being should be to better themselves and nurses are not exempt. This makes them want better. If not to invest and have a comfortable retirement, then to pay up the Black Tax very fast and then start living for themselves.

Black Tax has seen nurses take up incredulously long shifts at work. Nurses have withstood horrible terms and conditions of work abroad just to be able to get some Black Tax. Back home, the relatives pile pressure on the nurses while calling them daktari wa majuu.  Not many people appreciate the stupefying level of altruism that goes into every dollar and pound. Many get blindsided by beautiful photos on social media of snow, ice and swept roads.

For a Kenyan nurse who has a huge Black Tax, it is advisable to weigh your options intensely before leaving the country. If a salary cannot support you and your Black Tax needs, you need to rethink that offer. If you must have three or four jobs to live, you must re-evaluate that contract.

In the United Kingdom for example, care homes will always pay better than NHS hospitals. However, depending on what interests you as a nurse, they may not offer you what you need. The strategy is always to leave for most nurses. Before you leave the care home environment, reduce if not eliminate your Black Tax. That way you do not feel the financial pinch when you take a pay cut by joining the NHS.

You may have to take a pay cut. The UK operates in a very unorthodox method. After all, this is the first first world nation to not write their constitution down. What do you expect? The NHS does not consider a nurses’ experience within a care home setup as being relevant to practice. They will therefore employ you at the bottom of the Band 5 Tier.

You are more likely to get a better deal with private hospitals in terms of money compared to the beloved NHS. Reducing Black Tax will help you juggle your responsibilities without breaking a bank.

On the other hand, NHS hospitals offer the best public pension terms so far . They offer great employee protection. Your Black tax might remain high but that is relative. The salary of an NHS nurse increases every year. You also get weekend and night duty enhancements. Perhaps you want to use this opportunity to cater for your Black Tax needs.

But what about you?

You have gone through nursing school in Kenya. That qualifies you to handle anything and everything. You have delayed self-gratification and controlled your need for fine things so as to pay up your Black Tax. What happens when you die? What about when you are sick? Who nurses a nurse?

To my colleagues in Western countries, remember the immigration process. Remember struggling to get a passport leave alone a visa. Remember the flight. The culture shocks. The new work environment and how lost you felt. Revisit the initial hostility at work. Reminisce over the subtle microaggression and hidden racism…

Take a moment and reflect on this and then look at how far you have come. When will you ever celebrate yourself? If Black Tax is that important, what about the person that is paying it?

We have learnt that holidays are important. Okay, I have learnt that. Perhaps you knew already. I must admit I am naïve in many facets of life. Plan and take a holiday. Rest. Go for a massage and get pampered. Buy yourself the best gadget and car you ever desired. Do not let Black Tax make you feel guilty for enjoying yourself. Before it was Black Tax, it was your money. Earned through sweat, blood and sometimes tears. A lot of tears.

For every dollar and pound, you switch into Black tax, save two for yourself. Jut you. If you buy land for your family, plan to buy one for just you. Because YOU are important. Nurses must learn to love themselves as much as they love other people.

Skip the extra shifts. Have a limit for them. Relax. Breathe. You do not need to convert your elegant car into a bedroom complete with several change of clothes and various ointments for your painful feet so that you can pay Black tax. The truth, fellow nurses is that whether you live or die, your Black Tax will always find someone to pay it up. Take it easy on yourself.

What if you are in Kenya and are not sure of where to go?

Think Black tax.

Do you have black tax?

If yes, then look at the contract you are just about to sign.

Be ready to work overtime wherever you go.

Be ready to think out of the box and make the money work for you.

USA undoubtedly pays better than UK depending on who you ask. Many will tell me about the paid holidays and free schooling and free healthcare in the UK. I agree. However, if someone has a huge load of Black Tax and they want to cover it immediately, USA is a place you want to consider.  This can be argued till kingdom come. I appreciate various opinions, this however, is my honest opinion. Address the Black Tax then either stay and make it work or transition to other countries with better welfare like the UK, Australia or Canada.

If UK is the place to go to, then look for areas with cheaper housing. Delay your need for a car because the public transport will take you anywhere and fast in the UK. Use that money to take care of your Black Tax.  In essence, all you need is to find yourself in any of these countries. You are precious as a nurse. You are on high demand. Please do not short sell yourself or even neglect your personal and social life.

Conclusion

Black Tax for Kenyan nurses abroad is as real as the morning sun. Careful planning and immaculate execution will help you to not regret later. No offer is too small if you think about it in Kenya shillings. As you do those conversions when you see a job offer, please remember that the country you are going to does not operate in Kenya Shillings. Do not be too mesmerized to settle for stones when you could have the stars.