Wednesday 19 November, 2008Missed their calling

It's a perfect fit. In order to help make up a shortage of nurses, about 30 prostitutes in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany, are taking a two-year training course to become geriatric nurses. The program is funded by the protestant church and the EU.

According to Rita Kühn, of the church's welfare program, the erstwhile prostitutes are very good at dealing with people. Better yet, "they don't get squeamish and have absolutely no fear about touching or being touched."

If this catches on as a smart career move, though, will there be a new shortage of prostitutes?