Queensland nurses are being lured to America with the offer of $Al8OO a week.

An international shortage of nurses has made them among the most sought-after workers in the world.

Free trips and accommodation are some of the perks being offered by United States nursing agencies.

Queensland Nurses Union spokesman John Moran said nurses were being “poached” and he predicted massive problems for Queensland’s heath system. Mr Moran said about 1500 Australian nurses took jobs overseas last year.

Better working conditions and higher rates of pay in places such as the US, Britain, Canada and the Middle East meant many nurses were looking overseas for employment, he said.

Nurses working in the US can expect to earn $US26.20 ($51) an hour - more than twice Queensland pay rates of $22.31. “They are leaving Queensland, and Australia as a whole, in search of other employment,” Mr Moran said.

“It is only going to put more pressure on hospital staff.” Australian Nursing Federation associate secretary Denis Jones said nurses were not being deterred by the US terrorist attacks.

“Nurses are used to working in difficult situations,” he said. “But they have to remember working conditions in the US differ from ours in Australia and we suggest they check with their union what to expect.” American nursing agency Intelistaf Flying Nurses said in newspaper advertisements last week that it was seeking registered nurses with at least one year’s hospital experience. According to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures, in the 10 years to 1999 nursing numbers fell in all states and territories.